Dhaka clears plan to sharply hike tariff structure for Chattogram port

The proposal aims at ‘improving the quality of services and efficiency’ at the seaport.

Port-use tariffs have not been raised since 1986. However, tariffs for five services were revised last in May 2008.

Under the revised charges, as just approved, port dues per gross register tonnage (GRT) have been increased from $0.241 to $0.306 while pilotage charge (for 10,000 GRT vessel) increased from $357.75 to $800. The shifting charge for night has been raised from $59.60 to $80.

The tugboat charge for 200 GRT to 1000 GRT has been ramped up from $158 to $615, for 1000 GRT to 5000 GRT from $316 to $615, for 5000 GRT to 10000 GRT from $632 to $1230.

For the vessels over 10000 GRT to 20,000 GRT tug charge is re-fixed $2,050 and over 20,000 GRT the charge will be $3,415.

The rate for the hire of tugboat for any other purpose is increased from $158 to $512.50, ship berthing or un-berthing charge increases from $88.50 to $94.32 and mooring- occupancy charge raised from $167 to $224.85.

Also, the jetty crane charges for below-10-tonne capacity has been increased from $42 to $58.24, quay gantry-crane charge (loaded), not exceeding 21-foot, increased from $15 to $20.80, and over-21-foot-crane charge increased from $22.50 to $31.20.

The tugboat cost for fire fighting is to see over tenfold increase in the latest revision-from $30 to $325.89.

Diving-board charge increases from $178.60 to $286.21, hire for salvage-diving unit shoots up from $71.50 to $344.59, dredger rentals increase from between $2,235 and $4,470 to $10,281.

Entry fees for people and vehicles are also to see a significant rise. A gate pass (temporary) for one user will now cost Tk 100 in a rise from previous Tk 25 while covered van, truck, and trailer-entry charge will go up to Tk 200 from Tk 12.5.

In the multipronged rate-rise package, the port authority is raising charge for hiring dump barges from $41.70 to $68.37 while the same for explosives barges will be from $59 in the past to $98 now.

The charges for loading or discharging containers are also seeing a good rise. Boxes not over 21 feet will be charged $68 from previous $43, while boxes over 21-foot size will be charged $102 from previous $65, and over 40-foot containers will be charged $115.

Less-than-container load (LCL) containers loading or discharging charge-for not over 21-foot size-will be $204 from $130, for over 21 feet will be $306 from $195, while over 40-foot containers will be charged $344.

Empty containers-not over 21-foot size-will be charged $34 in a hike from the present $22.10, over 21-foot boxes will be charged $51 from current $33.20, and the over 40-foot containers will be charged $57 for loading or discharging.

A section of port users perceives this decision ‘illogical’ as it will be tough for exporters to absorb this additional cost. It is also unhappy that port users were not consulted for the decision.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)