Maritime activity at Karachi’s main port has surged in recent weeks, driven in part by shifting regional dynamics in the Middle East, officials said Monday.
The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) reported a noticeable increase in ship arrivals during March, including container vessels, oil tankers and bulk carriers, reflecting a broader uptick in sea trade.
As of the latest update, multiple vessels were anchored at the port, including crude oil and petroleum tankers, while five transshipment ships handled 8,313 containers. Terminal operations remained active across key facilities, with 1,200 containers processed at KGTL, 1,827 at KICT and 5,286 at SAPT.
In the past 24 hours alone, the port handled a total of 165,476 metric tons of cargo, including 41,209 tons of exports and 124,267 tons of imports. Containerized cargo accounted for 110,040 metric tons of the total volume.
Seven vessels, including container ships, tankers and bulk carriers, docked at the port during this period, while six ships departed for international destinations. Officials said more container vessels and other ships are expected to arrive over the next two days, likely accelerating commercial activity further.
KPT authorities said cargo handling includes a wide range of goods such as cement, clinker, rice, chemicals and petroleum products. Overall, maritime trade activity at the port has shown significant improvement.
Gwadar - a secure hub
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s southwestern Gwadar Port is emerging as a secure maritime hub amid regional tensions, according to Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry.
A specialized vessel, MV HM Leader, was successfully berthed at Gwadar Port, where 35 units of transshipment cargo were handled, the minister said. He added that global shipping lines are increasingly turning to Gwadar as a safe alternative as traditional shipping routes face disruption.
Gwadar currently offers free storage for transshipment cargo and has the capacity to handle up to 16,000 TEUs of containers, along with more than 90,000 square meters of storage space for general cargo. Officials say the port is well-positioned to play a key role in regional trade and the blue economy.
Back in Karachi, KPT’s chairman visited multiple terminals to review cargo operations and security arrangements at the Port Operations Center. He praised the performance of the port’s security forces and issued directives to improve handling efficiency at oil piers and East Wharf.
At least 18 vessels are currently anchored at Karachi Port, with seven more expected to arrive. Authorities have emphasized the need for timely and efficient handling of transshipment cargo, containers and vehicles, as port activity continues to intensify.
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