The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has achieved the highest cargo volume in its 138-year history during the current fiscal year, according to state media, as the ongoing US-Iran conflict in the Middle East diverts maritime traffic toward Pakistan.
Record-Breaking Cargo Volume
The Press Information Department (PID) reported that KPT handled more than 54.685 million metric tons of cargo in fiscal year 2025-26, surpassing the previous record set in 2017-18. Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry confirmed the milestone, stating that KPT had exceeded its all-time high.
This surge follows the outbreak of the US-Iran war in February 2026, which has led several vessels to reroute from Gulf transshipment hubs to Pakistani ports, including KPT, Port Qasim, and Gwadar.
Minister Attributes Success to Efficiency
Minister Chaudhry attributed the achievement to enhanced operational efficiency, effective management, and increased port capacity. He noted that the government continues to modernize ports, expand capacity, strengthen logistics infrastructure, and provide facilities meeting international standards.
Karachi Port, Pakistan's largest seaport, handles a substantial share of the country's seaborne trade. Container volumes are closely monitored as an indicator of trade activity and port performance.
Container Throughput Also Sets Record
This milestone comes a week after KPT announced a new record for container throughput, handling more than 2.651 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the current fiscal year. The government has been investing in infrastructure upgrades to position Pakistan as a regional logistics and transshipment hub.
The record cargo volume underscores Pakistan's growing role in global shipping amid geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East.
