Govt targets regional shipping traffic through port reforms

May 13, 2026 (MLN): Additional berth space has been allocated at Karachi Port specifically for handling vehicles and SUVs, a concrete operational step taken as Pakistan moves to position its ports as a regional transit and transshipment hub amid shifting trade dynamics.

The allocation, confirmed by Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed (retd), is aimed at easing congestion for shipping lines and the broader business community a persistent bottleneck that has historically slowed vehicle clearance at the port.

The development came out of a high-level stakeholder meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, which brought together shipping lines, terminal operators, the Pakistan Ship Agents Association and the All Pakistan Shipping Association to address operational and regulatory gaps across Pakistan's three major ports, according to the press release.

Beyond vehicle handling, the meeting flagged several structural issues weighing on port competitiveness among them detention charges, limited terminal handling capacity, and the absence of coordinated feeder services.

Authorities said work is underway to reform the regulatory framework and align terminal operations with modern trade requirements.

Digitization and stakeholder coordination were also on the agenda, with participants identifying both as critical to increasing Karachi's attractiveness as a reliable maritime gateway for regional cargo.

The minister directed port authorities to produce a regular newsletter documenting performance metrics and facilities across all three ports, alongside a dedicated international marketing push an indication that the commercial repositioning effort is moving beyond domestic policy discussions.

Pakistan Ship Agents Association Chairman Muhammad Rajpar and All Pakistan Shipping Association President Abdullah Furrukh were among those who attended, with industry representatives expressing support for the direction being taken by the ministry.

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