Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has unveiled a comprehensive transshipment incentive package for Karachi Port and Port Qasim, marking a decisive policy shift to transform Pakistan into a high-capacity regional maritime hub.
Aligned with the Prime Minister’s maritime sector reform agenda, the updated policy significantly slashes port charges and cargo handling costs. Transshipment vessels calling at Karachi Port will receive up to an 80% discount on port handling charges, alongside wharfage fee reductions ranging between 20% and 80%. Free storage periods at Karachi Port have been extended to 14 days at standard terminals and up to 30 days within the Terminal Processing Zone (TPX).
At Port Qasim, the government has introduced a 100% complete waiver on wharfage charges. Port Qasim terminals will provide 7 days of complimentary storage, extendable up to 21 days. Furthermore, container terminals across the board have agreed to cut Terminal Handling Charges (THC) by up to 25%. Chairman Karachi Port Trust, Rear Admiral (R) Shahid Ahmad, confirmed that incentives will scale with cargo volumes, drastically reducing vessel turnaround times. In a major administrative consolidation, all legacy transshipment SROs and historical notifications have been officially rescinded.
Key Highlights of the Updated Incentive Package:
- Karachi Port Concessions: Up to 80% discount on port handling fees; 20%–80% wharfage rate reductions.
- Port Qasim Waiver: 100% complete waiver on wharfage charges.
- Storage Privileges:
- Karachi Port: 14 days free at terminals; 30 days free at the TPX area.
- Port Qasim: 7 days free storage, extendable up to 21 days.
- Terminal Handling Cut: Terminal Handling Charges (THC) reduced by up to 25%.
- Regulatory Streamlining: Annulment of all previous transshipment SROs and regulatory notifications to ensure a unified operational code.
📊 Fact-Sheet Summary
- Announcing Authority: Junaid Anwar Chaudhry (Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs).
- Port Leadership: Rear Admiral (R) Shahid Ahmad (Chairman, Karachi Port Trust).
- Scope: Karachi Port (KPT) & Port Qasim (PQA).
- Key Relief Measures:
- Wharfage Waiver: 100% at Port Qasim | 20%–80% at Karachi Port.
- Terminal Handling Reduction: 25% cut across container terminals.
- Max Storage Period: 30 days (Karachi TPX) | 21 days (Port Qasim).
- Regulatory Status: Legacy transshipment SROs fully revoked.
