The Chittagong Port Authority on Sunday decided to suspend the recently imposed hike in entry fees for goods-carrying vehicles, following two days of protests by transport owners and workers.
The decision was made during a meeting between CPA officials and representatives from truck, covered van, and prime mover owner associations at the port building on Sunday afternoon.
The CPA chairman Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman and other senior port officials attended the discussion.
As a result of the suspension, vehicle entry fees at the port will remain at their previous rates. Following the announcement, transport owners confirmed that vehicle operations inside the port would resume.
However, it is important to note that the suspension only applies to the vehicle entry fee. Increased tariffs in other port service sectors remain in effect.
CPA secretary Md Omar Faruk, speaking after the meeting, explained, 鈥業n the interest of the national economy, the increased entry fee for vehicles at Chattogram port will remain suspended until further notice.鈥�
He added that all parties had agreed that, given the impact on the country鈥檚 import-export activities and overall economy, normal port operations should resume immediately.
The suspension will remain in place until a final decision is made, which will be communicated once it is reached.
Faruk also mentioned that the port authority would prepare a proposal for review and approval by the ministry, and once approved, the decision will be made public.
In response to inquiries about potential tariff revisions, Faruk said, 鈥楾he port authority will send a proposal to the ministry, and once we receive a final decision, it will be announced. Until then, the suspension will remain.鈥�
Transport leaders assured the meeting that they would resume operations promptly.
Around 6,000 trucks and covered vans that had been waiting outside the port will now be allowed to enter and resume service.
This decision follows the CPA鈥檚 implementation of a revised tariff structure on October 15, which included a significant increase in service charges鈥攗p to 41%. Under the new rates, vehicle entry fees had risen sharply from Tk 57 to Tk 230, nearly quadrupling the previous cost.
This change sparked widespread protests across the transport sector.
On Saturday, truck, covered van, and prime mover owners halted vehicle entry into the port, bringing container and goods transport to a standstill.
Following the meeting, Md Shamsuzzaman Suman, port affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Covered Van Truck Prime Mover Goods Transport Owners Association, stated, 鈥楾he meeting decided to suspend the increased entry fee. We have instructed all our members to return to work immediately.鈥�
