Bangladesh ICDs increase container handling charges by 23%

13 Nov '21

1 min read

Pic: Daniël Leppens | Dreamstime.com

Private inland container depots (ICDs) in Bangladesh have increased container-handling charges by 23 per cent following the hike in diesel price and other costs associated with managing export-import cargo. Despite opposition from exporters, the owners of the 18 off-docks in the country finalised the hike in charges at a recent a meeting.

The association of private ICDs wants the hike with retrospective effect from November 4.

Currently, off-docks in the Chattogram seaport area handle all export goods and 38 types of imports.

Textile and apparel exporters strongly opposed the hike out of fear of a fresh blow to export-oriented sectors.

Cost of operation of ICDs has increased over the years and they are already facing financial problems, president of Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA) Nurul Qayyum Khan told a Bangladesh newspaper.

BICDA secretary Mohammad Ruhul Amin Sikder said investors in ICDs are not getting the expected return on investment.

The tariff committee, formed as per an off-dock policy of the ministry of shipping in 2016, has yet to play any major role in revising tariffs of ICDs in line with the increased cost of operations, he added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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