Over the years, the Chattogram Chamber offshoot has emerged as a cartel of vessel owners that took full control of the lighter ship business, hikes fares at its will and makes businesses pay those, businesspeople allege. Importers, who bring consumer goods and industrial raw materials in bulk, have to wait for its mercy to get .
BBS failing to publish crop data on time thedailystar.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thedailystar.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Import, export cost goes up as freight rates rise
Freight charges have risen in the last few weeks due to the adverse effects of Covid-19 on the global shipping sector, pushing the cost for importers and exporters in Bangladesh, industry people said.
Major mainline operations have increased the freight rates citing an acute shortage of empty containers following a surge in demand for imports.
Besides, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the global supply chain, causing delays in shipment and congestion at several ports, they said.
CMA-CGM, the fourth largest container shipping line in the world, has recently announced that it would implement new freight charges for the routes between base ports in Northern Europe and the Indian subcontinent.