Desk Report:
A new deadline has been set for the implementation of the new tariff at Chittagong Port. According to the latest decision, the new tariff will be effective from 12:01 am on October 14. Earlier, it was decided that it would be implemented from September 15. However, the decision of the Port Board was postponed by a month.
The Chittagong Port Authority has informed in a notification that the fare bills, containers and cargo bills of all ships arriving at the port after the specified time will be collected at the new rate. At the same time, C&F agents and shipping agents will also have to deposit money according to the new schedule. It has also been made mandatory to follow the new rules in applying for a ship’s certificate of clearance (NOC) and opening a bank account.
In this regard, Chittagong Port Secretary Omar Faruk said, ‘The new tariff will be effective from 12:01 am on October 14. All concerned have been instructed to complete all preparations for this purpose.’
Earlier, according to the notification issued on the night of September 14, it was announced to increase the tariff by up to 41 percent in various service sectors of the port. But in the face of reactions from traders and concerned parties, the shipping advisor suspended it for a month on September 20.
Currently, tolls are collected in 52 sectors at Chittagong Port. Of these, new tariffs are being implemented directly in 23 sectors. According to the gazette, fares, tolls, fees and charges will be collected based on the dollar exchange rate. The rate has been set at 122 taka per dollar. If the rate increases, the toll will also increase automatically.
The highest increase has been in the container transport sector. The toll for each 20-foot container has been set at 16,243 taka, which is 4,395 taka more than the previous 11,849 taka. This is an average increase of about 37 percent. Import containers will have to pay 5,720 taka more and export containers will have to pay 3,045 taka more. In addition, about 3,000 taka will be added to the cost of loading and unloading each container. As a result, the overall toll for container transport will increase by 25 to 41 percent.
The port authority said that the bill preparation software is being updated quickly to ensure the smooth and accurate implementation of the new toll collection process. The relevant institutions have been instructed to complete the work of software development, verification of procedures and necessary changes.
