Ports to clear stuck containers in 30 days

April 02, 2026 (MLN): Stuck-up containers and surplus materials at Pakistan’s major port terminals are set to be relocated, auctioned, and disposed of within 30 days to ease congestion and improve operational efficiency.

The move comes amid rising volumes of transshipment cargo, driven by stronger port performance and shifting regional trade dynamics.

A sub-committee meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry reviewed plans for relocating stuck-up containers and auctionable cargo.

Authorities were instructed to transfer containers from on-dock areas to designated off-dock facilities, including Sky Media Terminal, Al-Hamd Terminal, Northern Bypass, and other approved sites.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will permit shipping companies to remove and destroy abandoned containers in compliance with regulations, according to the press release.

Customs authorities will facilitate auctions of stuck-up containers within one month, while terminal operators are expected to dispose of surplus items such as wooden pallets and unused equipment within the same timeframe.

Rationalized reserve prices for mixed lots are intended to accelerate the auction process.

Junaid Chaudhry directed the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to obtain detailed shifting plans from terminal operators and share them with the sub-committee and customs by the end of the week.

He emphasized that port operations must remain seamless during the relocation process to ensure domestic trade is not disrupted by transshipment cargo or stuck-up containers.

Officials highlighted the need for a clear mechanism to shift transshipment cargo to off-dock terminals on defined commercial terms, along with maintaining updated records of off-dock facilities and cargo.

“Pakistan must seize emerging regional opportunities by adopting a forward-looking framework to sustain and expand our ports’ potential,” the minister said.

Reducing congestion at port terminals could boost maritime logistics efficiency, improve turnaround times for shipping lines, and lower costs for importers and exporters.

With transshipment volumes continuing to rise, the timely execution of this plan is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s position as a regional maritime hub.

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