Container handling at six jetties under Chattogram port's general cargo berth (GCB) remains disrupted as berth operators continue slowing down operations amid an unresolved dispute with shipping agents over onboard container handling charges.

The standoff, ongoing for over two months, has forced vessels to stay longer at the terminal, delaying import discharge and export shipments.

After repeated meetings failed to resolve the issue, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has sought intervention from the shipping ministry.

CPA Secretary Md Omar Faruk, in a letter to the ministry on March 6, urged immediate steps to ensure a logical increase in handling rates for smooth port operations.

The dispute began in early January when berth operators proposed raising the onboard handling charge, which shipping agents opposed.

Currently, shipping agents pay berth operators Tk 559.53 per container for onboard handling.

In January, berth operators demanded a $5 increase per container, citing rising operational costs, wages, and other expenses.

"We haven't raised rates since 2007, and it is no longer viable to continue at the old rate," said Fazle Ekram Chowdhury, president of the Berth Operators, Ship-Handling Operators, and Terminal Operators' Owners' Association.

However, Bangladesh Shipping Agent Association (BSAA) Chairman Syed Md Arif termed the demand illogical, noting that berth operators have been increasing charges by 10 percent annually on 40 percent of the total handling fee since 2016.

As their demand was unmet, berth operators reportedly adopted a go-slow tactic by deploying fewer workers and trailers than required.

Typically, two gangs of workers and at least 12 prime movers are needed to handle containers from a vessel with two onboard cranes.

But operators are currently providing only half, slowing operations.

Last week, at least four vessels faced extended stays.

The vessel Express Lhotse, carrying 1,300 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of imports, berthed at Jetty No. 13 on March 4 and was scheduled to depart on March 7.

However, 100 TEUs of imports were still to be unloaded as of yesterday noon, said Md Saiful Islam, head of the Chattogram branch of the vessel's agent, Sea Consortium Ltd.

With around 1,000 TEUs of export cargo yet to be loaded, he feared the vessel would miss its connection with a mother vessel bound for the US and UK, scheduled to leave Colombo on March 13.

"Though it's a dispute between two parties, we sought the ministry's intervention for a quick resolution," said CPA Secretary Faruk.