Govt slashes Gwadar Port tariffs to boost regional trade

May 11, 2026 (MLN):  The government has declared major reductions in tariff rates at Gwadar Port, cutting berthing fees for container vessels by 25%, international transshipment container charges by 40%, and transit container cargo charges by 31%.

The revised structure, effective immediately, also introduces one month of free storage for general cargo, a significant upgrade from the standard five-day allowance offered at other national ports.

The measures are aimed at positioning Gwadar as a competitive deep-sea transshipment hub and a strategic trade gateway linking Central Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, according to a press release issued.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, while announcing the policy, said the revised tariff regime is designed to attract global shipping lines, grow transit and transshipment container traffic, and reduce operational costs for carriers.

He added that further adjustments would be reviewed in phases, guided by cargo trends, regional competition, and sustainability considerations.

Gwadar Port Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch echoed the outlook, saying the reduced fees and improved facilities are expected to draw local and international investors and generate significant employment in Balochistan.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize Gwadar and capitalize on rising global demand for low-cost, congestion-free shipping routes.

The government expects the reforms to increase cargo throughput, stimulate economic activity, and expand Pakistan's maritime and logistics sectors.

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