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Shipping agents want immediate introduction of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with berth operators at Chittagong Port, a step they say is long overdue to ensure order, efficiency, and accountability in port operations.
Behind the technical jargon lies a very real human cost. When containers are delayed, importers scramble and supply chains are disrupted.
From shipping agents to small business owners and everyday consumers, inefficiencies at the country's busiest port ripple through the economy -- and it's the public who ultimately pays the price.
An SLA is a formal agreement that defines the expected level of service between parties -- in this case, between berth or terminal operators and shipping agents.
It includes clear performance metrics and outlines consequences for service failures, such as delays, mishandling, or damage to containers.
According to individuals familiar with developments at the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, the SLA proposal was formally endorsed during a high-level meeting held on May 6, 2025.
The meeting was chaired by Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain, Adviser of the Ministry of Shipping.
As part of the consensus reached, shipping agents agreed to an increased on-board handling charge of Tk 175 per container, on the understanding that an SLA would be introduced to ensure service reliability from berth operators.
However, when the Ministry of Shipping issued the official meeting minutes on 17 May, the SLA resolution was conspicuously absent, according to the agents. While the revised charges were included, the omission of the SLA has caused dismay and renewed concern among shipping agents.
"This is not a minor omission -- it undermines the very premise on which the compromise was reached," an industry insider told The Financial Express, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Shipping agents argue that without an enforceable SLA, berth operators are not held accountable for delays, operational lapses, or damages. There are now three operational shifts at the port, but delays and a lack of governance persist, leading to an increase in ships' turnaround time.
This lack of contractual obligation continues to affect cargo flow, productivity, and the overall reliability of Bangladesh's largest seaport.
"We have written another letter to the Ministry of Shipping, urging the immediate introduction of the SLA on July 7," a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Container Shipping Association (BCSA) said. Earlier, the association also sent a similar letter on May 20, 2025 to the adviser, urging a quick implementation of the SLA in port operations.
"Such an agreement will significantly enhance operational efficiency and restore confidence among port users."
Industry stakeholders are hopeful that the Ministry will rectify the omission and move forward with the SLA framework, which they say is essential to modernising port governance and aligning with international standards of port management.
jasimharoon@yahoo.com