Pakistan unveils major maritime incentives as Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announces up to 80 per cent discounts for transshipment vessels, aiming to transform ports into competitive regional trade hubs
By S.M. Inam
ISLAMABAD: The federal government had announced a new incentive package for transshipment cargo at Karachi’s ports, offering major reductions in port charges and expanded storage facilities in an effort to attract regional trade traffic and strengthen Pakistan’s position as a maritime hub.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said transshipment vessels would receive discounts of up to 80 per cent on port handling charges under the new policy. He said the wharfage charges at Karachi Port would also be reduced between 20 per cent and 80 per cent, depending on the category of cargo and operations.
The minister said cargo handled through Karachi Port would be provided up to 14 days of free storage, while the TPX area would offer free storage facilities for up to 30 days. The measures were aimed at making Pakistan’s ports more competitive for international shipping lines and regional cargo movement.
At Port Qasim, the government had announced a complete waiver of wharfage charges. Container terminals would provide seven days of free storage, with an additional extension of up to 21 days available under the new arrangement.
Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said container terminals had also agreed to reduce terminal handling charges by up to 25 per cent. He added that all previous statutory regulatory orders and notifications related to transshipment had been withdrawn as part of the revised policy framework.
The government said the package was designed to encourage shipping companies to use Pakistani ports for regional trade routes, particularly for cargo movement to neighboring countries and landlocked markets.
The maritime sector has long been viewed as a key area for economic growth, with authorities seeking to improve port efficiency, reduce operational costs and increase Pakistan’s share in regional maritime trade. The new incentives were expected to support efforts to transform Karachi’s ports into more attractive destinations for international shipping networks.
