The government has postponed the implementation of Chattogram port’s new tariff structure for one month following appeals from the business community, Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain announced on Saturday.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Workshop on Customs and Port Management: Problems, Prospects and Way Forward” at the port’s conference room, Hussain said the revised charges—originally set to take effect on 15 September—will remain suspended until further review.

The decision comes amid strong objections from exporters and importers, who warned that the higher tariffs would raise production and freight costs, ultimately undermining Bangladesh’s trade competitiveness as it prepares to graduate from least developed country (LDC) status next year.

The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) recently announced the first major tariff revision in nearly four decades, raising service charges by an average of 41 percent through a gazette notification. The revised structure included a nearly $25 increase per container for loading and unloading.

Business leaders argued that such steep hikes, without first addressing long-standing inefficiencies in port operations, would hurt the economy.

Hussain assured stakeholders that the government is prioritising measures to boost port capacity, including expediting the Bay Terminal project and expanding the use of Mongla port and Kamalapur ICD facilities.