The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has confirmed that its revised tariff structure will be implemented from October 15, triggering strong backlash from businesses who claim they were misled by earlier assurances.
The new tariff, which increases port service charges by an average of 41 percent, was originally scheduled to take effect on September 15, following a government gazette issued on September 14. However, after significant opposition from the business community, Shipping Advisor Brigadier General (Retd) M. Shakhawat Hossain announced on September 20 that the implementation would be suspended for a month.
Now, less than two weeks later, CPA has issued a notification signed by Chief Finance and Accounting Officer Abdus Shakur, confirming that the “Tariff on Goods and Vessels for Chittagong Port Authority-2025” will be enforced starting at midnight on October 14. All ships arriving after that time will be subject to the new rates.
Businesses have expressed anger, accusing the shipping advisor of going back on his word.
“The shipping advisor did not keep the promise made to businesses regarding the tariff increase at Chattogram Port,” said, Syed Mohammad Arif, chairman of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association.
He also pointed out that international shipping contracts are long-term, making abrupt changes difficult to manage.
Business leaders argue that the tariff hike is unnecessary, citing the CPA’s annual revenue of over Tk 5,000 crore. They estimate that the new rates will add Tk 2,000 crore annually to the cost of trade, ultimately leading to higher prices for consumers.
Premier Cement Managing Director Amirul Haque called the tariff increase “irrational,” highlighting that some charges had risen by four times.
The revised structure includes steep hikes in several categories, such as a 440 percent increase in tug charges for ships exceeding 20,000 gross registered tonnage (GRT), and a 123.8 percent rise in pilot charges for 1,000 GRT vessels. Container handling fees have also surged, with the cost of unloading a 20-foot container increasing from $43.40 to $68.
The Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association noted that the CPA tariff structure has been dollar-denominated since 1986, with the dollar exchange rate now more than three times higher than when it was introduced.
The tariff hike compounds the financial pressures already faced by Bangladesh’s shipping and export sectors, with off-dock charges up by 44 percent and berth operator fees rising by 35 percent since September 1.
However, CPA officials maintain that the tariff revision was long overdue.
“In response to business demands, the shipping advisor extended the implementation period by one month. Accordingly, the new tariff will be effective from October 15,” CPA Spokesperson and Secretary Omar Faruk told Times of Bangladesh.
Chattogram Port handles about 3.3 million TEUs annually, with over 4,000 ships passing through the port each year.
