Bangladesh’s inland container depot (ICD) operators and key industry stakeholders have agreed to increase charges for handling export and empty containers by 20% for an initial period of six months, easing a long-running dispute that had threatened to disrupt container operations.
Md Omar Faruk, Secretary of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), said the revised tariffs would come into effect shortly.
The decision followed a high-level meeting chaired by CPA Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, who held discussions with ICD owners and major export stakeholders, including representatives from the garments and knitwear sectors, to resolve the deadlock over proposed tariff revisions by private ICDs.
Last month, ICD operators had warned of a suspension of container handling services from 11th December after users refused to accept higher charges. The planned action was later deferred following assurances from the CPA that the issue would be addressed through consultations.
The Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA) had earlier cited rising operating and investment costs, currency depreciation and inflationary pressures in justifying a steep revision in tariffs. In July 2025, the association warned that the cost of processing export and empty containers could rise by as much as 60% from 1st September.
The proposed hike was subsequently challenged in the High Court, which stayed the revised tariffs amid objections from exporters and other stakeholders. ICD operators were later directed by the shipping ministry not to impose any new charges without prior approval.
The meeting on the revised 20% increase was attended by BICDA leaders and representatives of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA), the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) and the Bangladesh Container Shipping Association (BCSA).
