ICD operators had earlier verbally informed their clients of the planned suspension from December 11 citing their inability to cover expenses because the proposed hike in charges had not been implemented.
The move led to fears of a potential disruption to the export supply chain through the Chattogram port.
At the CPA chairman’s emergency meeting with representatives of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), the latter placed three demands, which include the withdrawal of a High Court case related to the ban on the ICD tariff increase.
They also demanded the abolition of the one-sided tariff committee from the ICD Policy, citing the majority representation of service takers, as well as a logical adjustment of the ICD charges, according to domestic media reports.
In July, BICDA had announced a hike in charges for handling export cargoes and empty containers by as much as 60 per cent, effective from September 1, citing rising operational and investment costs, currency devaluation and inflation.
From the beginning, port users opposed the decision and refused to pay the raised rate. As several mediation attempts failed, the issue went to the High Court, which suspended the revised tariff.
The shipping ministry later clarified that no new charges could be imposed without approval from the tariff committee.
ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)
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