Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on Saturday that the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) is boosting transshipment operations through the Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT), successfully handling 3,485 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) across two vessels.
Details shared by the minister reveal that the container vessel Northern Guard, which berthed at QICT on March 23, processed 3,180 TEUs of transshipment cargo. The Nagoya Express contributed an additional 305 TEUs during the same period.
Regular container operations at the port also thrived, with imports totaling 21,537 TEUs and exports reaching 29,467 TEUs, underscoring robust trade activity.
Minister Anwar Chaudhry highlighted PQA's on-dock capacity of about 5,100 TEUs for transshipment cargo, backed by 5,000 TEUs at the QICT yard and another 3,000 TEUs at the PQA’s TSA-A area. These resources ensure ample space for growing volumes.
To attract more transshipment business, PQA has rolled out key tariff incentives like zero wharfage charges on transshipment cargo, plus reductions in wet charges like pilotage and port dues. Vessels with 50% or more transshipment cargo qualify for a 50% discount, while those with 25–50% receive a 25% concession.
These steps form part of government's strategy to establish its ports as competitive regional transshipment hubs by enhancing efficiency, cutting costs, and supporting international shipping lines.
The minister added that Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL) is handling additional transshipment cargo from the vessel DP World Chennai, as Karachi Port strengthens its role as a regional hub. “By delivering speed and precision, Karachi Port is reinforcing global confidence in its operational excellence,” he stated.
