French shipping line raises fees after port tariff hike in Bangladesh

A September 14 gazette notification announced a 41-per cent average increase in service charges at the port.

France-based container shipping company CMA CGM recently announced an ‘emergency cost recovery surcharge’ between $45 and $350 per container to be implemented from October 26, saying it was aimed at mitigating the impact of increased operational charges.

The CMA CGM surcharge will be $40 for a 20-foot dry container, $70 for a 40-foot dry container, $105 for a 40-foot high-cube dry container and $145 for a 45-foot high-cube dry container.

For refrigerated containers, the surcharges will be $40 for a 20-foot container, $60 for a 40-foot container, and $90 for a 40-foot high-cube container.

For hazardous goods, the surcharges will be $140 for a 20-foot container, $215 for a 40-foot container, and $305 for a 40-foot high-cube container, domestic media outlets reported.

The Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) recently wrote to the Ministry of Shipping and the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), urging both to reconsider the newly imposed port tariff and its implementation timeline.

Exporters may not be directly affected by this additional surcharge as foreign buyers usually bear the transportation costs, but importers would be affected directly.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)