Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (Rtd) M Sakhawat Hussain said on Saturday the government decided to postpone the roll out of the increased tariffs at the Chattogram Port for a month.
The revelation came as he was addressing as the chief guest of a workshop on ‘Customs and Port Management: Problems, Prospects, and Way Forward’ held at the Chittagong Port Authority Auditorium, according to a release.
In the first major tariff review in almost four decades, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) raised service charges at the Chattogram port by 41 percent from the middle of this months, aiming to increase revenues.
The move followed an increase in cargo handling charges by upto 60 percent at private inland container depots (ICDs).
Businesses criticised both the moves, saying that the hikes will push up the cost of foreign trade and erode competitiveness as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from least developed country status in November next year, when it will lose preferential market access.
The adviser also said the government is set to finalise a National Port Strategy by the end of this year to guide the long-term development of Bangladesh’s land, river, and seaports.
Shakhawat also announced plans to build a cold chamber at Mongla Port to preserve perishable goods, emphasizing its potential as a regional trading hub.
The event was organized by the Support to Sustainable Graduation Project (SSGP) of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) in collaboration with the Chittagong Port Authority.
Key officials including Special Assistant to the Ministry of Finance Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Senior Shipping Secretary Mohammed Yousuf, NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, and ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky attended the event.
Dr. Chowdhury proposed forming a multi-agency taskforce to improve port operations. Senior Secretary Yousuf stressed the need to comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards, noting that revenue from revised tariffs would fund port infrastructure and compliance initiatives.
NBR Chairman Khan highlighted ongoing steps to streamline customs, including scanner installations and the Authorized Economic Operator program. ERD Secretary Siddiky urged improved environmental compliance and skill development as the country approaches LDC graduation in November 2026.
Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Moniruzzaman called for building a deep seaport to accommodate larger vessels and serve as a backup for Chattogram. He also emphasized a comprehensive policy for smooth cargo handling.
SSGP Project Adviser Abdul Baki, in his keynote, stressed the need for better coordination among customs, port authorities, and the private sector to reduce clearance time. Additional ERD Secretary and SSGP Project Director AHM Jahangir gave the welcome speech.
Panelists—including NBR and port officials, and representatives from the private sector—called for full automation of customs processes, expansion of off-dock capacity, improved road infrastructure, and swift Bay Terminal operationalization.
As Bangladesh nears LDC graduation, the workshop highlighted the urgency of addressing operational, regulatory, and infrastructural challenges at ports to maintain trade competitiveness and attract foreign investment.