Written by The Banking Post
Private inland container depots have raised handling charges by 8.5%, effective April 19, citing higher fuel costs following a recent diesel price hike.
The decision was announced by the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), which said operational expenses have increased after diesel prices rose to Tk 115 per litre.
The revised rates apply to a wide range of services, including transportation of empty containers between Chattogram Port and depots, as well as between Patenga Container Terminal and ICDs. Charges for lift-on, lift-off, export handling, container stuffing, and verified gross mass (VGM) services have also been increased.
Import-related services—such as haulage, unloading, yard placement and delivery to trucks—are also covered under the new pricing structure.
Operators have been asked to notify clients immediately as the rates take effect.
However, the move has drawn criticism from exporters. Fazlee Shamim Ehsan of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association questioned the scale of the increase.
“If charges rise by 8.5%, it suggests fuel makes up nearly half of total costs, which is not realistic,” he said, warning against passing on disproportionate cost burdens.
He added that such hikes could further strain exporters and importers already grappling with rising logistics expenses.
