ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has stepped up efforts to transform its maritime sector into a regional transshipment hub, with the federal government reviewing port preparedness and outlining a series of reforms aimed at improving efficiency, logistics coordination and international competitiveness.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday to assess operational readiness across the country’s major ports amid shifting regional trade dynamics.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including shipping lines, terminal operators, port authorities and industry associations, to strengthen coordination and ensure smoother maritime trade flows.
Discussions focused on boosting operational efficiency, expanding feeder connectivity, enhancing cargo handling capacity and simplifying regulatory procedures.
Officials also reviewed structural and administrative challenges, including detention charges, regulatory bottlenecks and the need for accelerated digitisation of port services. Participants emphasised opportunities to attract greater regional cargo volumes by positioning Pakistan’s ports as reliable transit gateways.
The minister said the government is pursuing “practical and coordinated measures” to modernise the maritime sector and elevate Pakistani ports into a competitive regional transshipment centre. He stressed expanding port capacity, strengthening logistics networks and improving feeder services to meet rising trade demands.
He further highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at refining the regulatory framework and increasing terminal handling capacity in line with modern global shipping requirements.
During the briefing, Chairman of the Karachi Port Trust Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed (retd) informed the meeting that additional space has been allocated at Karachi Port for vehicle and SUV handling, a move expected to ease congestion and improve operational flow for shipping lines and traders.
The minister also directed authorities to launch a regular newsletter highlighting the performance, facilities and investment potential of Pakistan’s three major ports, alongside a stronger international marketing strategy to attract global stakeholders.
Senior officials including representatives from shipping associations, terminal operators and maritime regulators attended the meeting and expressed confidence in the government’s reform agenda, pledging continued cooperation to support sector-wide development.
Pakistan’s ports – Karachi Port, Port Qasim and Gwadar Port – handle the majority of the country’s maritime trade, including imports and exports. These ports operate within regional shipping routes in the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean.
Port competitiveness in the region is generally linked to factors such as cargo handling capacity, turnaround time, connectivity with road and rail networks, and the level of digitalisation in port operations.
Regional ports such as those in the Middle East and South Asia also offer transshipment and logistics services, and compete for cargo movement across international shipping lines.
Pakistan has ongoing infrastructure and administrative initiatives in the maritime sector aimed at improving port operations, logistics systems and trade facilitation.
