Staff Reporter

KARACHI:&nbsp;Pakistan has recorded a major breakthrough in maritime trade with the successful berthing of its first fully trans-shipment general cargo vessel at Karachi Port, as the government accelerates reforms to strengthen trade resilience amid disruptions caused by the Iran war and instability in the Strait of Hormuz. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the successful docking of cargo vessel M.V. Erlin, calling it a historic step for Pakistan&rsquo;s maritime sector and a sign of the country&rsquo;s growing role in regional trade logistics. &ldquo;Alhamdulillah, for the first time, the fully trans-shipment cargo vessel M.V. Erlin has been successfully berthed,&rdquo; the minister said, adding that the development marked Pakistan&rsquo;s entry into a &ldquo;modern trans-shipment era.&rdquo; The milestone comes as conflict in the Middle East and shipping disruptions across the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Hormuz continue to reshape global trade routes, drive up freight costs and force supply chains to adapt. Pakistan&rsquo;s ports, particularly Karachi, have increasingly served as key trade gateways during the crisis, helping sustain cargo flows and regional connectivity. According to the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), the vessel carried general cargo, bulk, break-bulk cargo and vehicles, expanding the port&rsquo;s trans-shipment capabilities beyond its traditional container-based operations. KPT said the berthing marks &ldquo;a new era for maritime trade&rdquo; and strengthens Karachi Port&rsquo;s transformation into &ldquo;a premier regional trans-shipment hub.&rdquo; The maritime ministry said the progress reflects the impact of recent reforms focused on improving port efficiency, reducing cargo clearance times and enhancing trade competitiveness. Chaudhry said these reforms were part of broader efforts initiated under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to modernise Pakistan&rsquo;s ports and reduce risks to trade, energy and logistics. &ldquo;New trade opportunities are opening up,&rdquo; Chaudhry said, adding that Karachi Port is &ldquo;rapidly transforming into a key trans-shipment hub in the region.&rdquo; In another sign of growing international interest, a high-level European Commission delegation visited Karachi Port this week to review port operations and development projects, including trans-shipment, port expansion, green shipping initiatives and sustainable connectivity. The delegation, led by European Commission Director for Asia Pacific Peteris Ustubs and accompanied by EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis, was briefed by Karachi Port Trust Chairman Shahid Ahmed on ongoing modernization plans and the port&rsquo;s role in regional maritime connectivity. &ldquo;Pakistan has turned challenges into opportunities,&rdquo; Chaudhry said. &ldquo;Our commitment is to build a brighter future for regional trade through the development of our ports.&rdquo; The development reinforces Islamabad&rsquo;s broader strategy to position Pakistan as a regional maritime and economic hub, leveraging its ports to maintain trade continuity and strengthen supply chain resilience during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

Economy

Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announces the successful docking of cargo vessel M.V. Erlin, calling it a historic step for Pakistan’s maritime sector and a sign of the country’s growing role in regional trade logistics.

Pakistan records historic Karachi Port milestone amid regional trade disruption

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, announced Friday the launch of a new feeder shipping service from Karachi Port to the United Arab Emirates, marking a key step toward transshipment capabilities. According to a statement issued on Friday, Chaudhry said that Karachi Gateway Terminal (Private) Limited (KGTL), which is KPT&rsquo;s major business partner, will be supported by a dedicated feeder service linking Karachi with the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, strengthening maritime connectivity for Pakistan&rsquo;s trading community amid evolving regional shipping dynamics. Regular shipping linkChaudhry said the new service establishes a regular shipping link between Karachi and two of the region&rsquo;s key transshipment hubs, enabling Pakistani importers and exporters to maintain reliable access to global container shipping networks. &quot;The service will call at KGTL, part of AD Ports Group&rsquo;s international operating arm, Noatum Ports. The first vessel of the service arrived at KGTL on the evening of 11 March, officially marking the start of regular operations,&quot; the minister added. Chaudhry noted the new feeder link supports supply chain continuity through KGTL and helps ensure Pakistan&rsquo;s trade maintains dependable access to international markets. Cargo routed through Fujairah and Khor Fakkan will benefit from seamless connectivity to regional and international shipping networks, supported by the UAE&rsquo;s advanced logistics infrastructure. Containers can be efficiently transferred via integrated road and rail corridors to major commercial hubs and logistics centers across the UAE. Talking on the new feeder service, Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed (Retd), chairman, Karachi Port Trust, said, &quot;The introduction of this feeder service further enhances Karachi Port&rsquo;s connectivity with key regional hubs and supports Pakistan&rsquo;s growing trade requirements.&rdquo; Strengthening Pakistan&rsquo;s maritime connectivityHe added, &quot;Strengthening maritime links with the UAE will help facilitate smoother cargo movement while providing greater flexibility for the country&rsquo;s trading community as per the vision of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Choudhry.&rdquo; &nbsp; Khurram Aziz Khan, chief executive officer of Karachi Gateway Terminal (Private) Limited (KGTL), said, &ldquo;The commencement of this feeder service reflects KGTL&rsquo;s continued commitment to strengthening Pakistan&rsquo;s maritime connectivity and supporting the country&rsquo;s trading community. By linking Karachi directly with major UAE transshipment hubs, this service provides importers and exporters with reliable access to global shipping networks while reinforcing the role of Karachi Gateway Terminal as a key gateway for international trade.&rdquo; Junaid Chaudhry said Pakistan&rsquo;s economy relies heavily on maritime trade, and strengthened connectivity with regional transshipment hubs provides additional resilience for exporters, importers, and supply chains.

Pakistani maritime affairs minister says the new service establishes a regular shipping link between Karachi and two of the region’s key transshipment hubs, enabling Pakistani importers and exporters to maintain reliable access to global container shipping networks.

Articles tagged with "Karachi Port"

Pakistan records historic Karachi Port milestone amid regional trade disruption

UAE, Pakistan launch new feeder service to strengthen maritime connectivity

Pakistan records historic Karachi Port milestone amid regional trade disruption