Nineteen private inland container depots (ICDs) supporting Chattogram Port are set to suspend handling of export cargo and empty containers from tomorrow morning (11 December), as off-dock owners protest the continued bar on revising service tariffs.
Each depot has issued notices to clients stating it will stop loading export cargo and processing empty containers. Owners argue they can no longer operate under the existing tariff structure, unchanged since 2016 despite multiple increases in labour and operational costs.
Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA) Secretary General Ruhul Amin Sikder confirmed the situation but said the association has taken no organisational decision . “Individual depot owners have informed clients and shipping lines that they are unable to continue services under the old rates,” he said.
Tariff revision has been at the core of the standoff. In August, BICDA sought to increase charges for stuffing, ground rent, lift-on/lift-off, documentation and transportation by 30–63%. Port users rejected the hike, and the matter eventually went to court, which suspended the revised tariff. The shipping ministry later ruled that no new charges can be imposed without approval from the Tariff Committee.
With no progress over three months, depot owners have now taken unilateral action. Shipping lines have reportedly been verbally instructed not to send containers to the ICDs from Thursday, though no formal notice was issued to BGMEA, BKMEA, shipping agents, or port authorities.
Industry stakeholders warn of immediate consequences. The 19 ICDs handle all export cargo, most empty containers, and 65 categories of import goods—processing roughly 2.2 million containers annually. Their combined storage capacity of 106,000 TEUs is nearly double that of Chattogram Port’s own yards.
A shutdown could halt all export shipments, trigger congestion at the port if empty containers cannot be evacuated, and disrupt supply chains—dealing a heavy blow to export-oriented sectors, particularly the apparel industry.
Chattogram Port Secretary Omar Faruk said the port authority is aware of the issue but has received no official communication from BICDA.
Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association Director Khairul Alam Sujon expressed concern over the sudden move. “Such unannounced disruption affects the country’s credibility in global trade. Port operations rely on international coordination, and a break in one link can have far-reaching consequences,” he said.
The government and industry bodies are yet to announce any mediation steps as the suspension looms.
