Pakistan's Minister of Finance, Ishaq Dar, evaluates the operational efficiency at the country's seaports.
Pakistan Halves Port Charges at Karachi Port to Boost Trade and Reduce Emissions
The Pakistani government has announced a significant move to cut port charges at Karachi Port, aiming to boost trade, reduce port congestion, and lower costs for exporters and businesses. The reform includes a 50% reduction in port handling, vessel, and storage charges, and the cancellation of a planned 5% annual increase in these charges.
The decision to reduce port charges is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency and align port operations with global benchmarks. The government aims to speed up cargo clearance, reduce container dwell time by up to 70%, and improve logistics and trade facilitation at Karachi Port and Port Qasim.
To achieve these goals, the government plans to reduce the free container stay period, enforce stricter gate-out timelines, and impose penalties for delays. These measures are expected to facilitate smoother and faster trade flows by reducing delays at seaports, making Pakistani exports more competitive, and encouraging higher throughput, alleviating congestion issues.
In terms of logistics, the reforms include expanding lab testing capacity, adopting rapid screening technologies, promoting pre-arrival customs filings, and restructuring the responsible committee to monitor and implement these reforms effectively.
The government also ties this port charge reduction and efficiency drive to a broader effort to decarbonize the maritime sector and improve energy efficiency in trade logistics. Faster cargo handling and less congestion reduce idle times for ships and trucks, thereby cutting emissions and lowering the environmental impact of port operations.
The reduction in charges will benefit exporters of dry bulk goods, and the meeting aimed to address port congestion, strengthen trade facilitation, and improve logistics systems. The forum discussed measures to enhance efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and ensure smooth cargo handling.
The announcement was made by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and the meeting was attended by Special Assistance to Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, Secretary Pakistan Railways Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, NC Special Investment Facilitation Council, National Logistics Corporation Director General Major General Farrukh Shahzad, AS Maritime Affairs, and other senior officials.
In summary, halving port charges at Karachi Port is a key component of Pakistan’s plan to modernize port infrastructure, enhance trade competitiveness, improve logistics efficiency, and contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint associated with maritime trade.
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