Islamabad: In a major move aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s maritime competitiveness and positioning Gwadar Port as a regional logistics hub, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Monday announced significant reductions in port tariffs and charges for international shipping lines.
According to an official statement, berthing fees for container vessels at Gwadar Port have been reduced by 25 percent, while port charges on international transshipment containers have been slashed by 40pc. In addition, charges on transit container cargo have been cut by up to 31pc to encourage greater regional and global trade activity through the port.
The minister also announced the introduction of a one-month free storage facility for general cargo, describing the package as one of the most attractive incentive structures among national ports in the region.
“Ships bringing transit and transshipment cargo have been given major relief,” Chaudhry stated, adding that the revised tariff regime would substantially lower operational costs for shipping companies and improve Gwadar’s appeal as a strategic trade gateway.
He emphasized that the government’s policy to transform Gwadar into a regional logistics and transshipment hub had now entered the implementation phase. The initiative is expected to increase cargo handling volumes, stimulate economic activity, create employment opportunities, and expand Pakistan’s logistics and maritime sectors.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority, Noorul Haq Baloch, recently highlighted Gwadar’s rising strategic significance amid escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking during a meeting with members of the All Pakistan Shipping Association in Karachi, he noted that Gwadar’s shorter access routes to Iran and Central Asia, combined with investor-friendly incentives, were increasing its attractiveness as a secure alternative trade corridor.
Baloch further stated that Gwadar possesses strong potential to emerge as a future regional trade and logistics hub due to its modern infrastructure, lower operational costs, and efficient connectivity routes. He also pointed to the growing importance of the Gabd-Rimdan border corridor in facilitating trade with Iran and Central Asian states.
Earlier this month, the GPA chairman revealed that four transshipment ships were handled at Gwadar Port during April, reflecting the port’s growing role as an alternative maritime trade route in the region.
