COSCO Container Lines has said it will apply an off-dock charge US$100 per TEU and $50 per empty from August 1 for outbound cargo from Chittagong to north west Europe and Mediterranean ports.

Delays have been attributed to labour inefficiency, a shortage of containers and changes in cargo handling agents "who are causing hassles requiring more time for loading and unloading of containers," reported Bangladesh's New Nation newspaper.

"The government is going to appoint new and an adequate number of cargo handling agents at the port to keep the pace of rapid cargo handling," said the newspaper report.

Foreign buyers, including importers from Europe, have been complaining about the increasing delays at Chittagong. Major importers say they have asked foreign suppliers to strictly follow production schedules as the delivery of cargo through the port is taking an "unusually" long time.

Europe, the destination for 60 per cent the country's readymade garments, accounts for three-quarters of Bangladesh export value.