Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on Sunday a significant relief for exporters facing financial strain due to recent disruptions in Gulf-bound shipments caused by the Iran war. The minister declared storage charge waivers ranging from 25 to 50 percent at terminals operated by the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to facilitate trade and reduce logistical burdens.
Impact of Iran War on Shipping
The ongoing conflict in Iran has severely disrupted global shipping lines, leading to extensive delays and increased costs for exporters worldwide. Pakistani exporters have been particularly affected, with containers stranded at terminal yards unable to be loaded onto vessels due to operational challenges. The waivers aim to alleviate the financial pressure on these businesses.
Details of the Waiver Scheme
According to a statement from the Maritime Affairs Ministry, the relief measures cover export containers that could not be loaded because of the disruptions. Following negotiations with terminal operators, KPT Chairman Rear Admiral (retd.) Shahid Ahmed secured the following waivers:
- 50 percent waiver at Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL) from March 1 to 20, 2026.
- 50 percent waiver at Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) from March 1 to 10, 2026.
- 25 percent waiver at South Asia Pakistan Terminals (SAPT) from March 11 to 31, 2026.
These reductions are intended to clear pending consignments and improve cargo clearance efficiency.
Support for Export Sector
Minister Chaudhry emphasized that the move is part of a broader strategy to support the export sector, ensure trade continuity, and ease logistical bottlenecks. He stated, “Maritime institutions are being encouraged to adopt a more facilitative and trade-friendly approach so that operational delays do not translate into avoidable costs for stakeholders.” The minister also stressed the need for improved coordination among ports and terminals to enhance service delivery and logistics.
Strategic Positioning
Pakistan is leveraging the Iran war-related marine disruptions to position itself as a transshipment hub. Since the conflict began in February, the country has experienced increased port activity and operations, aiming to boost exports and build investor confidence in its maritime capabilities. The relief measures are seen as a step toward making the maritime sector more responsive, competitive, and aligned with national trade priorities.
