MSC restores direct Karachi-Europe shipping service

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said Thursday that direct shipping connectivity between Karachi and major European ports had been restored, providing relief to exporters facing longer transit times and higher freight costs because of disruptions to international shipping routes.

Mediterranean Shipping Company, or MSC, has reinstated its PREMIUM IPAK service in response to exporters’ demand for a dedicated and direct Europe service, the minister said in a statement.

Under the restored service (MSC) will make a weekly call at Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited, or KGTL, connecting Karachi with key European destinations through Colombo, Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Le Havre and London Gateway.

“The restoration of a dedicated Europe service is an important development for our export-oriented industries, particularly the textile sector, which has been facing increased transit times and logistics costs because of disruptions to international shipping routes,” Chaudhry said.

He said textile exporters had recently apprised him of difficulties caused by changes in shipping routes, particularly those linked to the situation in the Red Sea.

According to the minister, exporters said longer vessel journeys were increasing transportation costs and delivery times for shipments to European and US markets, affecting their competitiveness.

How will the restored Europe shipping service help exporters?

MSC’s restored PREMIUM IPAK service will give Pakistani exporters a weekly connection from Karachi to major European ports. The minister said the service would provide a more direct connection to important markets and give exporters greater options for planning and moving shipments amid continuing disruption to established international shipping routes.

Chaudhry said the government was taking up exporters’ concerns with shipping lines and other stakeholders to improve maritime connectivity and facilitate international trade.

“Reliable and predictable shipping connectivity is essential for Pakistan’s exporters. Our focus is to ensure that the maritime sector supports trade, reduces logistical bottlenecks and strengthens Pakistan’s access to international markets,” he said.

He welcomed MSC’s decision to restore the service, saying the weekly Karachi call would provide exporters with a more direct connection to important European markets.

“The restored service will improve connectivity with major European ports and provide exporters with greater options for planning and moving their shipments,” he said.

Wider shipping disruptions continue

The minister cautioned that restoration of the service did not resolve the broader challenges affecting international shipping routes.

“Disruptions to established shipping routes continue to have implications for global trade. We will continue working with the shipping industry and exporters to address connectivity and logistics issues and to strengthen Pakistan’s position in international trade,” he said.

Chaudhry said the government remained committed to improving port and shipping services and creating a more efficient maritime logistics system to support exporters and enhance Pakistan’s trade competitiveness.

He also praised the efforts of Karachi Port Trust Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed and the management of KGTL in restoring the shipping link between Karachi and major European markets.

Ahmed said measures were underway to further improve the efficiency of the maritime logistics system.

He said the restored shipping connection would improve access from Karachi to key European markets and facilitate the country’s exporters.