Good news for Pakistan’s ports! Gwadar Port has started seeing a nice uptick in transshipment activity as global shipping lines look for safer routes while the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted due to the US-Israel war on Iran.
Recently, the vessel M/V HMO LEADER berthed at Gwadar carrying 368 metric tonnes of transshipment cargo. Another ship recently offloaded around 1,900 metric tonnes headed for the UAE, and more vessels are expected soon.
Pakistan’s Ports Capitalize on Gulf Shipping Disruptions https://t.co/QehkNzF7GI
— WWD (@wwd) April 1, 2026
Industry folks are excited. Gwadar Port Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch said the port is attracting cargo thanks to its strategic location, modern facilities, and free storage incentives. At Karachi Port, transshipment jumped sharply — about 11,000 TEUs handled in March 2026 alone, compared to just 8,300 for the entire year of 2025. Port Qasim is also handling over 900 containers in a single day.
Stakeholders like Abdul Rahman Fudda and Shakeel Ahmed say this surge is a direct result of cargo being diverted from the troubled Gulf. They’re calling it a “golden opportunity” for Pakistan, but warn that the government needs to act fast to turn this temporary boost into something permanent.
Suggestions include improving infrastructure, lowering port charges, better security, 24/7 customs operations, and making the new policies long-term. Recent government steps — like cutting transport charges by up to 60%, allowing off-dock terminals, and easing clearance rules — have already helped a lot.
Pakistan’s duty-free transshipment regime and Gwadar Free Zone tax benefits are also giving the country an edge. If handled smartly, experts believe Gwadar could become Pakistan’s main transshipment hub in the future.
For now, the momentum is clearly building.
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