ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Friday said Pakistan’s ports are setting new benchmarks in transshipment, reflecting the country’s growing potential as a regional maritime hub.
In an interview with a local media channel, the minister said surging transshipment activity has reached record levels, highlighting Pakistan’s capacity and strengthening its position as a centre for trade and regional connectivity.
He congratulated the nation on the achievement, saying it reflects the country’s increasing strength in the maritime sector.
Despite global challenges, Pakistan has demonstrated resilience and the ability to turn opportunities into record performance, particularly at Karachi Port, he said.
The minister attributed the progress to the government’s strategy and the efforts of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, port authorities and their teams, adding that the momentum would be sustained to further strengthen Pakistan’s role as a regional trade and transshipment hub.
He said major ports, including Karachi Port, Port Qasim and Gwadar Port, have delivered strong performance.
Providing figures, the minister said Pakistan handled around 8,300 transshipment units in 2025, while a new record has already been set within the first 24 days of the current period, indicating faster growth and improved operational efficiency.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining this pace in the coming months.
Chaudhry also said that, under the government’s vision, three additional ports would be developed, alongside the establishment of a modern energy city to support industrial expansion and maritime trade.
He said these initiatives would help attract foreign investment, create jobs, reduce logistics costs and position Pakistan as a competitive maritime hub in the region.
The minister added that while global markets are facing disruptions, Pakistan’s maritime sector is witnessing record activity. He noted that Karachi Port, in particular, has seen a sharp increase in transshipment volumes, driven in part by regional shipping disruptions in the Gulf, which have led vessels to reroute towards Pakistan.
He said the port handled about 8,300 TEUs in 2025, while in just the past 24 days it has already processed 8,313 TEUs, surpassing last year’s total and underscoring strong growth and operational efficiency.
