Chittagong Correspondent //

The Chittagong Port Authority has decided to increase import and export duties by 30 percent. The duty has been increased after discussions with inter-ministerial and stakeholders, said Shipping Advisor Brigadier General Ob. M Shakhawat Hossain.

He told reporters this after inspecting the container handling activities at the New Mooring Container Terminal-NCT of Chittagong Port on Friday afternoon.

The Shipping Advisor said that international operators will be appointed to increase the capacity of Chittagong Port and handle international goods. There is no need to run propaganda about this.

He said, ‘This is the first time since 1986 that the tariff has been increased. This will increase revenue, but the cost of import and export will increase for businessmen.’

The Shipping Advisor also said, ‘The government wants to further increase the capacity of Chittagong Port. To take this port to the international arena, a foreign operator will have to be given the responsibility of managing it. He advised everyone not to spread propaganda about this.’

The advisor said, ‘Foreigners will be given the responsibility of managing the port, and the overall activities and control of the port will be in the hands of the government. On July 7, the Navy was given the responsibility of managing the port’s NCT from Saipem Power Tech.’

After that, container handling at the New Mooring Container Terminal increased by about 13 percent. An average of 3,200 single containers are being handled daily, according to the port authority.

After 16 years, the new operator Chittagong Dry Dock Limited is operating the NCT from July 7 this year.

The port’s state-of-the-art New Mooring Terminal, which is mainly operated under the overall supervision of the Bangladesh Navy, has made great progress in this international-standard terminal with a rich superstructure.

However, the shipping advisor said that the organizations that previously operated the NCT have also done a good job.

Upon arrival at Chittagong Port, the Shipping Advisor inspected the container loading and unloading activities at NCT and was informed about its progress.

Expressed his opinion.