The Bangladesh government has given the green light for a significant overhaul of the tariff structure at Chittagong Port, marking the first major revision in decades. On July 24, the finance ministry issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the proposed changes, paving the way for the port authority to implement new rates aimed at modernising and aligning tariffs with international standards.
The proposed tariff adjustments, detailed in a document titled Tariff on Goods and Vessels, etc for Chittagong Port Authority 2025, include substantial increases across key service charges. Notably, the tug charge for vessels over 20,000 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) is set to soar from US $ 632 to US $ 3,415, representing a 440% rise. Similarly, pilot charges for 1,000 GRT vessels will jump from US $ 357.50 to US $ 800, a 123.8% increase, while tug charges for vessels between 200 and 1,000 GRT will escalate from US $ 158 to US $ 615, a 289.2% hike.
The finance ministry’s letter emphasised the need for the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to focus not only on implementing the new tariff structure but also on enhancing service quality and operational efficiency. Monowara Parvin Mitu, senior assistant secretary of the Treasury and Debt Management Division, confirmed that the NOC had been forwarded to the shipping ministry’s senior secretary.
CPA Secretary Md Omar Faruq stated that the tariff revision process is still underway. He noted that the shipping ministry has held consultations with various stakeholders, and feedback on the proposed increases has been submitted.
Currently, Chittagong Port offers around 56 different services, including tug assistance, pilotage, water supply, crane operations, ship loading and unloading, container handling, and cargo delivery. The port has been operating under a tariff structure established in 1986, with only minor adjustments made in select sectors during FY08. Although efforts to update the tariff system began in 2013, progress had stalled until now.
In 2022, the CPA commissioned a comprehensive review by Spain-based consulting firm IDOM Consulting, Engineering and Architecture, in collaboration with Bangladesh’s Logicforum Limited. The review aimed to align the port’s tariffs with international standards, ensure fair and competitive pricing, and improve revenue generation and service quality.
The approved tariff revisions are expected to modernize Chattogram Port’s pricing framework, support better service delivery, and enhance its competitiveness in regional maritime trade.