Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has ordered port authorities to clear out congested containers within the next 30 days so the country can make the most of the extra shipping traffic caused by the war in Iran.
Minister Chaudhry orders 30-day plan to clear stuck-up containers, boost port efficiencyhttps://t.co/aPeUDy5nRT#MaritimeAffairs #KarachiPort #TradeLogistics #PortOperations #PakistanEconomy #Shipping
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With the Strait of Hormuz largely blocked since late February, many ships are rerouting and Karachi’s ports are suddenly seeing a noticeable jump in cargo volumes. The minister says Pakistan needs to grab this opportunity with both hands.
“Pakistan must seize these emerging regional opportunities,” Chaudhry said after chairing a meeting in Islamabad. He wants stuck containers shifted, auctioned or cleared out quickly to keep things moving smoothly without messing up regular domestic trade.
The 30-day plan includes moving containers from crowded dock areas to off-dock spots, updating cargo records properly, and speeding up auctions of abandoned goods. Customs has been told to help make the process faster.
Pakistan was already trying to turn its Arabian Sea ports into a bigger hub for landlocked Central Asian countries. Now, with the chaos in the Gulf, officials believe the timing couldn’t be better to boost efficiency and handle more transshipment business.
