Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Wednesday said the government is taking steps to provide maximum facilitation at ports in order to attract foreign cargo transshipment amid evolving regional trade conditions.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review issues faced by importers and exporters, the minister said Pakistan is well-positioned to benefit from shifting trade dynamics, provided a competitive and business-friendly environment is ensured at maritime gateways.
He highlighted that fiscal incentives have already been introduced to attract foreign-flagged transshipment vessels. Under the new measures, vessels carrying dry bulk export cargo will receive up to 60 per cent concession on port dues, aimed at reducing the cost of doing business and increasing port throughput.
The minister urged customs authorities and terminal operators to rationalise charges and streamline procedures to improve trade facilitation, stressing that reducing bottlenecks is essential to positioning Pakistani ports as regional transshipment hubs.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, while Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, Karachi Port Trust, Pakistan Customs, National Logistics Corporation, terminal operators, and the Pakistan Ships’ Agents Association joined via video link.
Participants discussed issues including regional competition in port dues, container scanning, customs clearance procedures, and handling of auctionable containers. The minister directed stakeholders to improve coordination and accelerate decision-making to resolve long-standing challenges.
He also lauded the performance of KPT Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed and his team for ensuring uninterrupted port operations during Eid holidays, marking a first in the port’s 138-year history. He noted that around 15,000 containers and 22 vessels were handled over three days, facilitating timely clearance for trade operations.
Officials informed the meeting that approximately 1,000 containers had already been auctioned, while the process for an additional 200 was underway. However, it was highlighted that nearly 3,700 containers still require auction and clearance on a priority basis to create space for incoming cargo.
Representatives also pointed out long-standing congestion issues at terminals, with some containers remaining for up to 15 years due to legal and procedural delays, suggesting the introduction of time limits to improve efficiency.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving stakeholder concerns and ensuring efficient port operations to support trade growth and regional connectivity.