Shipping agents have renewed calls for the immediate introduction of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with berth operators at Chittagong Port, warning that operational inefficiencies continue to disrupt supply chains and add unnecessary costs across the economy.

An SLA is a formal contract that sets clear performance benchmarks between service providers and users. In this case, agents say it would define the responsibilities of berth operators, specifying service timelines and penalties for failures such as delays, container mishandling, or damage.

The Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association formally endorsed the proposal during a high-level meeting on 6 May, chaired by Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain, Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping. During the meeting, agents also agreed to an increase in on-board handling charges by Tk 175 per container, in anticipation of improved reliability through an SLA.

However, when the Ministry of Shipping issued the official meeting minutes on 17 May, the agents noted with concern that the SLA proposal was excluded, though the increased handling charges were recorded. This omission has since raised fresh frustration within the shipping community.

Shipping agents argue that without an enforceable SLA, berth operators face no accountability for recurring delays and inefficiencies, despite the port’s operation across three shifts. These lapses increase ship turnaround times and disrupt cargo flow, ultimately raising costs for importers, small businesses, and consumers.

Chittagong Port, Bangladesh’s largest seaport, handles the majority of the country’s container traffic. Agents say persistent inefficiencies ripple through the economy, affecting industries and consumers alike.