Key Points
- Pakistan launches new feeder shipping service from Karachi to UAE ports.
- Route connects Karachi with Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, key transshipment hubs.
- First vessel arrived at Karachi Gateway Terminal on March 11, marking start of operations.
- Service aims to strengthen maritime connectivity and global trade access.
- Expected to improve supply chain efficiency and support Pakistani exporters and importers.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a new feeder shipping service linking Karachi Port with key United Arab Emirates ports, a move expected to enhance the country’s maritime connectivity and improve access to international shipping routes.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on Friday that the new service will operate between Karachi and the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, two major regional transshipment hubs.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening supply chain efficiency and supporting Pakistan’s importers and exporters amid evolving global shipping dynamics.
According to the minister, the service will operate through Karachi Gateway Terminal (Private) Limited (KGTL), a major business partner of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT).
The terminal will host the feeder vessels as part of a broader effort to expand Pakistan’s role in regional maritime logistics.
The new route establishes a regular shipping connection between Karachi and the UAE, enabling the country’s trading community to maintain consistent access to global container shipping networks.
“The service will call at KGTL, which is operated by Noatum Ports, the international operations arm of AD Ports Group. The first vessel arrived at the terminal on the evening of March 11, marking the beginning of regular feeder operations,” the minister added.
The service is expected to improve supply chain reliability by facilitating efficient cargo movement through major regional logistics hubs. Shipments routed via Fujairah and Khor Fakkan will gain access to wider international shipping networks and benefit from the UAE’s advanced transport infrastructure.
Containers arriving at these UAE hubs can be quickly transferred through integrated road and rail corridors to major commercial centers and logistics facilities across the region.
According to Chairman Karachi Port Trust Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed, the new service will strengthen Karachi Port’s connectivity with important regional hubs and support Pakistan’s expanding trade needs.
The improved maritime links with the UAE will help ensure smoother cargo movement and provide greater flexibility to Pakistan’s trading community, aligning with the government’s vision to enhance maritime trade.
Commenting on the matter, Khurram Aziz Khan, Chief Executive Officer of Karachi Gateway Terminal (Private) Limited, said the new feeder service reflects KGTL’s commitment to improving Pakistan’s maritime connectivity and facilitating international trade.
“By directly connecting Karachi with major UAE transshipment hubs, the service provides importers and exporters with dependable access to global shipping routes while reinforcing KGTL’s role as a key gateway for international commerce,” he said.
The minister emphasized that Pakistan’s economy relies heavily on maritime trade, adding that stronger links with regional transshipment hubs will provide greater resilience for exporters, importers, and supply chains.
Industry experts believe the feeder service could help reduce shipping delays and logistics costs for Pakistani traders by providing a more consistent and structured cargo route to international markets.
Improved connectivity with UAE hubs may also allow Pakistani exporters to access a wider range of global shipping lines without relying heavily on distant transshipment points.
The initiative also aligns with Pakistan’s broader strategy to modernize port infrastructure and expand maritime trade capacity. With global supply chains becoming increasingly complex, strengthening regional shipping partnerships is seen as crucial for maintaining trade competitiveness.
Additionally, enhanced connectivity with the UAE — one of Pakistan’s key trading partners — could further boost bilateral trade volumes and improve the efficiency of goods moving between South Asia, the Gulf region, and beyond.
