KARACHI – Web Desk: Commercial activity at Pakistani ports has accelerated due to ongoing fighting in the Gulf and disruptions to maritime routes, according to international media reports.
Hutchison Ports Pakistan has stated that new cargo will arrive in Pakistan via several ships, with two vessels already having arrived at the port and a third expected in the first week of June. The Karachi terminal will handle 4,000 new transshipment cargo units, bringing the total to over 14,300 by March 2026. International shipping companies are increasingly turning to Pakistani ports as an alternative route due to disruptions in the Gulf region.
According to maritime officials, the Gulf crisis has led to a significant increase in the use of not only Karachi but also Gwadar Port, with activities rising from 20% to 30%. To make Gwadar Port more attractive, berthing fees have been reduced by 25%, international transshipment cargo charges by 40%, and transit cargo charges by 31%. CPEC 2.0, regional trade corridors, and new investments are expected to further enhance Gwadar Port’s regional significance.
Experts say the increasing activity at Karachi and Gwadar ports is a positive indicator for Pakistan’s emergence as a key regional logistics and transshipment hub. Pakistan’s unique geographical location is transforming Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar into emerging trade and logistics destinations in the region.
