ISLAMABAD: Direct shipping connectivity between Karachi and major European ports has been restored, offering relief to Pakistani exporters facing longer transit times and rising freight costs amid disruptions to international shipping routes.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on Thursday that Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) had reinstated its PREMIUM IPAK service in response to exporters’ demand for a dedicated shipping link with Europe.
Under the restored service, MSC will make weekly calls at Karachi Gateway Terminal International (KGTI), connecting Karachi with major European destinations, including Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Le Havre and London Gateway via Colombo.
The minister described the restoration as a significant development for Pakistan’s maritime connectivity, adding that the country was emerging as a regional transshipment hub.
The reinstated service is expected to benefit export-oriented industries, particularly the textile sector, which has faced longer shipping times and higher logistics costs due to disruptions along international maritime routes.
According to the minister, textile exporters had recently raised concerns over changes to shipping routes, particularly those associated with the situation in the Red Sea. Longer vessel journeys had increased transportation costs and delivery times for shipments destined for European and US markets, undermining the competitiveness of Pakistani exporters.
The restored service will improve access to major European ports and provide exporters with greater flexibility in planning shipments and managing delivery schedules.
However, the minister cautioned that the reinstatement of the service did not resolve the broader challenges facing international shipping. He said the government would continue working with shipping companies and exporters to address connectivity and logistics issues and strengthen Pakistan’s position in global trade.
KPT Seeks Faster Cargo Clearance
Separately, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has proposed a series of operational measures to improve shipping connectivity and streamline cargo clearance.
Chairing a meeting of the Working Group on Shipping Connectivity and Optimisation at the KPT head office, the KPT chairman proposed standardised 24/7 electronic delivery orders, risk-based inspections, non-intrusive scanning, joint inspections and common sampling procedures.
The meeting focused on removing physical and regulatory bottlenecks to make cargo handling and clearance faster, more efficient and predictable.
Terminal operators expressed their readiness to facilitate inspections at night, while Pakistan Customs was requested to support round-the-clock operations.
The proposed measures aim to reduce delays, improve port efficiency and strengthen the reliability of Pakistan’s maritime logistics system, supporting exporters’ efforts to remain competitive in international markets.
Story by Kalbe Ali
