BusinessToday24 Correspondent, Dhaka:
Handling charges at Chattogram Port are set to rise significantly across multiple categories, with a final decision expected by the end of June. The port authority has proposed increasing cargo handling charges by 70 to 100 percent, a move that economists and business leaders fear will further escalate the prices of essential goods.
The proposal was discussed at a meeting held on June 2 at the Ministry of Shipping. Stakeholders have been asked to submit their written feedback before the revised charges are implemented.
The proposed hike covers nearly 50 different port services, including port dues, berthing fees, forklift charges, and utility costs. Although partial revisions were made to five services in 2008, most of the charges remain unchanged since the 1980s.
Currently, it costs approximately Tk 15,000 to clear a 20-foot container. If the new proposal is approved, the cost could increase to Tk 25,000–30,000. The port authority, however, argues that fees at Chattogram are still lower than in many other countries—$43.40 per container compared to $100 in Colombo and $75 in Singapore.
In 2024, the port’s revenue reached Tk 5,055 crore, marking a 21 percent increase from the previous year. Its surplus rose by 37 percent, totaling Tk 2,948 crore. Critics question the rationale behind the fee hike amid such substantial growth.
Nurul Qayyum Khan, president of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association, stated, “A maximum increase of 15 percent could be justified. But doubling the charges would threaten the survival of many businesses.”
The Chattogram Port Authority defended the proposal, saying, “There has been no major revision in the fee structure since 1986, while both operational costs and demand have increased manifold.”
Around 93 percent of Bangladesh’s trade is conducted through Chattogram Port, including the import of wheat, edible oil, and machinery. As a result, economists warn that the fee hike could lead to further increases in consumer prices.
Economist Anu Muhammad said, “Raising import-related costs at this time will burden the public further. It will fuel inflation, increase the cost of living, and worsen the pressure on the middle and lower-income groups.”
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