Chittagong Port earned Tk 5,227 crore in the last fiscal year. It spent Tk 2,314 crore on the contrary. As a result, the port made a profit of Tk 2,913 crore. Earlier, in the 2023-24 fiscal year, it made a profit of Tk 3,912 crore. Despite making a profit every year, the tariff is increasing again in the face of objections from traders. The new tariff will be effective from 12 midnight today, Tuesday. As a result, costs will increase, and imports and exports will be at risk.

Traders say that the Ministry of Shipping and the Chittagong Port Authority are putting the import-export sector at risk for this extra income. Therefore, they have demanded that the government reconsider the issue.

Port Secretary Omar Faruque said that the toll was increased at Chittagong Port in 1986. After 39 years, the toll rate has been increased; which will be implemented from 12 am on Tuesday. The rate at which traders are claiming that the increase in toll will create pressure on consumers is not right. It will not have much impact on the consumer level. It
was learned from talking to traders that Maersk Shipping Line, the company used to collect terminal handling charges of $120 for 20-foot containers, but has announced to collect them at $160 immediately after the toll comes into effect. Accordingly, the cost of handling each container will increase by $45. And for 40-foot containers, this charge has been increased from $205 to $310. Earlier, CMA, CGM, CNC and ANL have announced similar increases in charges.

In this regard, Fayyaz Khandaker, former president of Bangladesh Container Shipping Association, said, "The increase in tariffs can have a major impact on import-export trade."
Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury, former president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "Since foreign operators are operating the port's terminals, they will naturally want the tariffs to be increased. The negative impact on import-export has not been taken into account. Therefore, we want such decisions to be postponed and action taken after discussing with the concerned businessmen."

Amirul Haque, president of Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association and managing director of Premier Cement, said that the Chittagong port fee has been increased to provide benefits to foreign operators. The reasonable demands of the traders have been ignored in increasing the fee. This fee will have a negative impact on import and export. Ultimately, it will be borne by the consumer.
In this regard, the Chittagong Port Secretary said that discussions were held before increasing the port fee. The scope of services at the port is being expanded. New sheds, yards, terminals and various facilities are being constructed. For this reason, the port fee has been increased.