In its first major tariff revision in nearly 39 years, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has implemented a sweeping increase in service charges, requiring users to pay an average of 41 per cent more for port-related services effective Monday, September 15.
The revised fee structure was officially published in a gazette notification on Sunday, signed by Port Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, and comes amid rising operational costs and inflationary pressures.
The hike affects nearly every aspect of port operations, from vessel entry and pilotage to tug assistance, berthing, water supply, and cargo handling, and is expected to impact importers, exporters, shipping lines, and logistics firms across Bangladesh.
Key fee revisions
Vessel working charge:
$306 per gross tonne per entry into the port area.
$0.017 per gross tonne for lighters and tankers operating within port limits.
Additional charges: 25 per cent for dangerous goods vessels, 50 per cent for dead vessels or lighterage, and 5 per cent for delays or overstays.
Pilotage charges:
Minimum $800 per ship movement entering the port.
$8.00 per gross tonne for vessels above 10,000 GT.
Additional 50 per cent for breaking journey or dead vessels, $200 for entry cancellation, 25 per cent surcharge for night navigation, $80 for berth shifting, and 50 per cent extra for piloting beyond the Karnaphuli River’s outer limits.
Tug assistance:
$615 per movement (200-5,000 GT) inside Karnaphuli River; $1,230 outside.
$1,230 (5,000-10,000 GT) inside; $2,460 outside.
$2,050 (10,000-20,000 GT) inside; $4,100 outside.
$3,415 (20,000+ GT) inside; $6,830 outside.
Additional 100 per cent for disabled/deb vessels; 50 per cent for cancellation or shifting; 25 per cent for extended service beyond 4-6 hours.
Berthing fees:
$0.004 per gross tonne per hour.
$94.32 per berthing/unberthing maneuver.
$224.85 per day for seagoing vessels; $22.49 for non-seagoing.
Penalty for overstaying berth: 100 per cent (up to 12 hrs), 300 per cent (24 hrs), 400 per cent (36 hrs), and 900 per cent beyond 36 hours.
$47.16 charge for berth shifting.
Water supply:
$2.92 per 1,000 liters from main supply.
Up to $24.96 per 1,000 liters for delivery beyond 7 nautical miles from Patenga Lighthouse.
20 per cent above WASA rates if sourced externally.
Waste handling:
$2,456.99 per trip within Karnaphuli River; $4,063.15 per trip outside.
Crane & equipment usage:
Container handling: $20.80-$35.10 per loaded container (based on size); $10.40-$17.55 for empty.
Crane rental: $58.24-$291.20 per 8 hours (based on capacity).
$35.10 per pontoon use for haze cover.
Why now?
Port officials say the revision, the first since the 1980s, was long overdue to reflect current economic realities, rising fuel and maintenance costs, and global benchmarking. “This adjustment is essential to sustain and modernize port operations,” said a senior CPA official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
However, industry stakeholders have expressed concern over the sudden hike, warning it could increase the cost of imports and exports, ultimately affecting consumer prices.
“The timing is tough. Global shipping is already volatile, and local businesses are recovering from pandemic setbacks,” said a representative of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association. “We hope the port authority will consider phased implementation or exemptions for SMEs.”
What’s next?
The CPA has indicated it will monitor the impact of the new charges and may introduce adjustments or relief measures if warranted. Meanwhile, users are advised to review the full gazette notification for detailed breakdowns and exceptions.
As Bangladesh’s primary maritime gateway, handling over 90 per cent of the country’s trade, Chittagong Port’s pricing directly influences national logistics costs making this revision one of the most consequential economic decisions of the year.