Government Launches 30-Day Emergency Drive to Decongest Karachi Port.
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Karachi Port decongestion plan
In a decisive move to protect Pakistan’s maritime trade efficiency, the federal government has initiated a 30-day action plan to clear the growing congestion at Karachi Port. Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry issued the directive on Thursday, April 2, 2026, following a high-level review of the terminal’s capacity.
Addressing Port Bottlenecks
The surge in transshipment volumes, driven by regional shipping diversions, has pushed on-dock storage to its limits, necessitating an immediate “venting” of stuck cargo to off-dock locations:
- Transshipment Pressure: Increased volumes have resulted in premium terminal space being occupied by long-standing containers and abandoned equipment.
- Impact on Exporters: This congestion contributes to the “double blow” faced by exporters, who are already struggling with war-related disruptions and soaring port penalties.
- Digital Integration: The decongestion drive follows the successful launch of a biometric onboarding system at KICT, which has already registered over 15,000 truck drivers to improve ground-level efficiency.
