Sea Port / Dry Port and Maritime Updates.

[hydrabadi_arab]

Keti Bandar port will have 4000 acres SEZ. Gwadar failed because of security but this port have great potential being in Sindh.

Karachi land prices no longer make sense for industrial expansion. Keti bandar SEZ land will cost 80-90% less then in Karachi.

Billions wasted on Gwadar, you cannot develop even a village if there is no security let alone a province. Let baloch first come to terms with what they want. They clearly don't want development and progress. Their nationalists justify terrorism.

racism>play victim> become terrorist>no investment> capital flight >no development>racism> play victim> become terrorist>no investment> capital flight >no development

Even Karachi have yet to recover from decades of target killings, huge chunk of its capital moved to Lahore>Islamabad.

Keti Bandar port idea is old but its finally moving forward because Sindh/Karachi terrorism problem has been solved for a decade. Chinese may finally agree to invest in it.

 

[hydrabadi_arab]

Pakistan plans major upgrades to ports under maritime reform drive​

The reforms are aimed at boosting trade activity by upgrading the port system.​

ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister’s Task Force on Maritime Reforms is taking practical steps to improve the performance and efficiency of Pakistan’s ports, with a focus on modern facilities, administrative reforms and faster cargo handling.


The reforms are aimed at boosting trade activity by upgrading the port system and introducing more effective management measures.

A specialized training institute meeting international standards is also being planned to develop skilled workers for the maritime and port sectors.

An enhanced monitoring system will be established for annual and surprise inspections of ports, off-dock terminals, customs stations and other trade-related facilities.

Authorities also plan to upgrade inspection centers, introduce 24-hour operations and provide modern scanning equipment under customs rules.

The Prime Minister’s Task Force on Maritime Reforms, along with the National Logistics Cell (NLC) and other relevant institutions, is coordinating efforts to improve the port system. Proposals include modern equipment, CCTV surveillance and enhanced security to make cargo inspection faster and more transparent.


Authorities are also working on measures including portable weighing scales, regular calibration and expansion of high-value cargo areas. Improved facilities and better operational scheduling are expected to address bottlenecks and increase cargo-handling efficiency.

Officials said upgrading port infrastructure and implementing administrative reforms would strengthen Pakistan’s trade capacity and improve its competitiveness in international markets.

 

[hydrabadi_arab]

Karachi Port’s liner shipping connectivity hits record high​

Karachi Port’s Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (PLSCI) reached a record 343.02 in the second quarter of 2026, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Thursday.

According to a statement, the port’s PLSCI rose from 309.81 in the first quarter of 2026 to 343.02 in the second quarter, marking its highest level in the period covered by the available data.

The PLSCI measures a port’s integration into the global liner shipping network, with connectivity data covering around 900 ports worldwide.


The minister said the increase reflected stronger connectivity between Karachi Port and international liner shipping services, which could support trade flows, improve access to global markets and create opportunities for exporters and importers.

Karachi Port’s PLSCI stood at 329.24 in Q2 2024 before declining to 319.20 in Q3 and 323.67 in Q4. It was recorded at 321.70 in Q1 2025 and 321.84 in Q2, before falling to 298.56 in Q3.

The index recovered to 321.91 in Q4 2025 and 309.81 in Q1 2026 before reaching 343.02 in Q2.

Chaudhry also highlighted an improvement in Pakistan’s overall Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) ranking from 35th to 34th.

He said the government was working to improve port services, facilitate shipping activity and create an environment conducive to trade and investment.

The minister added that stronger port connectivity could help Pakistani businesses connect more efficiently with international markets and strengthen the country’s role in regional and global trade.

He said the government would continue working with port authorities, shipping lines and other stakeholders to further strengthen maritime links.

 

[hydrabadi_arab]

Karachi port terminal doubles bulk vessel capacity to 120,000 tonnes​

Completed dredging deepens KGTML-Noatum Ports berths to 15 metres; upgrade could cut vessel turnaround to three days and freight costs by up to 35%

Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited (KGTML)-Noatum Ports has doubled its bulk vessel handling capacity to 120,000 metric tonnes following the completion of dredging works that increased berth depths to 15 metres, according to the Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

The deeper berths will allow the terminal to accommodate larger vessels, including post-Panamax ships. Its previous bulk vessel handling capacity stood at 60,000 tonnes.

The terminal’s expansion is also expected to significantly reduce the time ships spend at port. KPT said vessel turnaround time could fall to three days from 13 days, while the ability to accommodate larger ships could generate potential freight cost savings of 25-35%.

The next phase of the development will focus on expanding cargo handling and storage infrastructure.

Plans include the installation of four high-capacity ship unloaders and two ship loaders, alongside 14 food-grade silos and dedicated export warehouses.

Together, the facilities are intended to create an integrated cargo-handling chain covering the unloading and loading of vessels, storage and movement of bulk imports and exports.

The planned silo complex is projected to handle up to nine million tonnes, while the export infrastructure will have a capacity of 8.5 million tonnes.


KPT said the expanded infrastructure would strengthen Pakistan’s bulk cargo and food supply chain by allowing faster vessel operations, more efficient storage and smoother movement of cargo.

The development is also expected to improve trade efficiency and strengthen Karachi Port’s role as a major maritime gateway for Pakistan.