Decision to Close Off-Docks at Chittagong Port Postponed for One Month

PNN News Desk, Chittagong

The earlier announced shutdown of operations at private container depots or off-docks at Chittagong Port has been postponed. The Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), representing depot owners, decided to continue operations for one month.

This decision came after an emergency meeting on Wednesday (10 December) at the port with representatives from the port authority, Chittagong Custom House, and BICDA. Port authority secretary Omar Faruk confirmed the decision.

BICDA stated that the planned closure from 6 am has been suspended for one month. During this period, all parties agreed to maintain normal import-export operations.

Depot owners had earlier announced a halt in all handling activities from Thursday to demand higher off-dock tariffs, which have not increased since 2016 despite rising labor wages and operational costs. Continuing operations at old charges had become impossible.

BICDA Secretary Ruhul Amin Shikdar said that although rising costs had led them to consider suspension, the port authority requested one month to negotiate. He said: “We have submitted three demands: withdrawal of writ, dissolution of tariff committee, and realistic tariff increase. If these are not met, we will resume our program.”

Officials noted that closing off-docks would have halted export product transportation and empty container handling, potentially causing significant damage to export-oriented industries, including the garment sector.

Currently, 19 private depots at Chittagong Port handle complete export operations, empty container management, and clearance of 65 types of imported goods. Stakeholders hope the tariff issues will be resolved during the one-month period.