KARACHI:The Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, on Tuesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Pakistan’s ports into dynamic regional trade hubs, emphasizing that the destiny of Karachi Port is being reshaped through reforms, infrastructure modernization and enhanced facilitation for the business community.
The minister was addressing a ceremony held to mark the dredging of berths and channels of Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL) at Karachi Port, said a statement issued here.
He said that Pakistan’s ports were witnessing significant progress in dredging, transshipment facilitation, bunkering expansion, and terminal optimization, aimed at strengthening the country’s position as the hub of regional maritime trade.
The Federal Minister also appreciated the growing success of bunkering operations, with more than 100 vessels serviced in recent months, and welcomed the transition of VLSFO sales toward direct marine fuel supply, a move expected to significantly strengthen Pakistan’s refining industry.
Beyond cargo operations, Karachi Port is also enhancing maritime support services through crew change facilitation and affordable medical services for merchant mariners, reinforcing Pakistan’s reputation as a competitive and service-oriented maritime hub.
Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Karachi Port successfully handled its first major transshipment movement, sending a strong message to the global maritime sector that Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Gwadar Port are emerging as Pakistan’s next major trade fulcrums.
Junaid Anwar Chaudhry hoped that these strategic reforms will open new avenues of trade growth in the coming years, firmly positioning Karachi Port as a leading regional gateway and a driver of Pakistan’s maritime future.
To further support trade growth, transshipment-related charges have been reduced by up to 60%, while a new feeder service has been launched from KGTL. Additionally, 20 ad hoc vessels are being arranged to reduce container stack pressure and facilitate seamless cargo movement.
Supporting the Minister’s vision, Chairman Karachi Port Trust, Rear Admiral (Retd) Shahid Ahmed, highlighted the practical steps being undertaken at Karachi Port including dredging of channels, enhancing operational resilience, navigational capacity and turnaround efficiency and creating additional space for storage and cargo operations to translate this vision into measurable outcomes.
He added that additional container storage areas have been allocated to optimize terminal space, while off-dock facilities have also been permitted for transshipment operations.
He added that timely support of Pakistan Customs and the Federal Board of Revenue, particularly through expedited amendment SROs, significantly accelerated these reforms.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the CEO KGTL Khurram Aziz appreciated the support of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and KPT in advancing dredging and channel widening, enabling larger vessels and improved terminal efficiency.