BEIJING: Gwadar deep seaport, a linchpin of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in southwest Pakistan, is poised to ascend to a more pivotal role in regional and global trade, according to a recent report.
Trade at Gwadar Port has experienced a significant uptick this year, covering various types of cargo, from bulk agricultural products to containerized goods like fertilizers and essential supplies, as well as critical items like liquefied petroleum gas. In the first half of this year, Gwadar Port handled a container throughput of 1,162 TEUs and a bulk cargo throughput of 506,800 tons.
Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair of the Islamabad-based think tank Global Silk Route Research Alliance, stressed that Gwadar Port is fast becoming a regional logistics hub, seamlessly connecting via sea, land, and air to the Middle East, Central Asian nations, and China. This connectivity presents opportunities for comprehensive development in Pakistan and the broader region.
Gwadar is not just a port; it also links China’s western economic zones to the sea, significantly shortening the marine distance for Chinese oil imports from the Middle East. The report highlights that approximately 60 percent of Chinese oil imports originate from the Middle East, and the launch of Gwadar Port trims the marine distance from 16,000 km to 5,000 km, slashing shipping time from 45 days to 10 days. CPEC is expected to bring significant transit revenue, estimated at USD 70 billion per year for Pakistan, through Gwadar Port.
Gwadar Port Free Zone
The Gwadar Port Free Zone encompasses 2,281 acres for infrastructure development, with the completion of the first phase covering 60 acres. The Free Zone has attracted 46 registered enterprises, three of which have commenced production.
Transportation has received a significant boost, particularly with the inauguration of the 19-kilometer-long Eastbay Expressway on June 22, 2022. This expressway now links the Free Zone to the national highway network, ensuring the seamless transportation of imports, exports, and transit goods.
The Chairman of the Gwadar Fisheries Association, Akbar Reis, underscored the critical logistics channel the expressway provides for Gwadar Port trade, benefiting the broader fishing community. He noted the road’s role in safeguarding fishing boats from oceanic storms while also streamlining the transportation of goods between the port and major cities.
The New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) is set to bolster Gwadar’s global trade and connectivity role. Nagman Abdul, Chairman of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, anticipates the export of lobsters to China from the new airport, further establishing a modern, comprehensive transportation network encompassing sea, land, and air alongside Gwadar Port and the Eastbay Expressway.
