Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs on Monday announced a significant reduction in port charges at Gwadar Port, including a 25 percent cut in berthing fees for transshipment container vessels, a 40 percent reduction in charges on international transshipment container cargo, and a 31 percent decrease in transit container cargo charges. According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the decision was taken by the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry in consultation with relevant officials, saying the reductions in tariff rates at Gwadar Port are aimed at strengthening the deep-sea facility’s position as a competitive regional logistics and transshipment hub. In recent days, the Gwadar Port has witnessed a significant increase in transshipment containers, international transshipment container cargos, and transit container cargo following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz owing to a double blockade. On Monday, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, highlighting the growing transshipment potential of Gwadar Port Authority, announced the successful berthing of another cargo vessel at the deep-sea port. The Ministry said that MV Yuan Hang Wei Ye berthed at Gwadar Port carrying approximately 34,000 tons of cargo comprising around 20,000 pieces. The vessel is engaged in transshipment operations and is carrying consignments destined for Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, which will be offloaded at Gwadar. Maritime Minister Chaudhry termed the development a positive sign for the port’s increasing role in regional maritime trade, adding that such operations reflect growing international confidence in Gwadar’s facilities and its strategic position as a transshipment hub. He reiterated the government’s commitment to further enhancing port infrastructure and services to attract greater volumes of global shipping traffic. The spokesperson further said that, on the directions of the minister, the ministry has revised the port changes policy focusing on increasing transit and international transshipment container traffic through Gwadar port, while attracting global shipping lines and enhancing overall port activity. Under the revised tariff structure, berthing fees for container vessels and ships carrying transit or transshipment cargo have been reduced by 25 percent. Charges on international transshipment container cargo have been slashed by 40 percent, while transit container cargo charges have been cut by 31 percent, the official said. In a major incentive aimed at improving cargo handling efficiency, the port will also provide one month of free storage for general cargo, compared to the standard five-day allowance at other national ports. “These incentives take effect immediately, and further adjustments will be reviewed in phases based on operational data and market response,” the minister added, noting that future revisions would be guided by cargo trends, regional competition, and sustainability considerations. Juniad Chaudhry said the measures form part of a broader strategy to transform Gwadar into a competitive, investor-friendly, and modern deep-sea port serving as a strategic gateway for trade with Central Asia, the Middle East, East Africa and beyond. He said that amid rising demand for low-cost and congestion-free shipping routes, Gwadar is well placed to capture a larger share of regional trade flows. The revised tariff regime, he added, is expected to reduce operational costs for shipping lines, encourage new transshipment and feeder services, and increase cargo throughput. “This initiative will stimulate economic activity in the country, generate employment opportunities, and expand Pakistan’s logistics and maritime sectors,” Junaid Chaudhry said. Meanwhile, Chairman of Gwadar Port, Noorul Haq Baloch, has said that significant growth in employment opportunities is expected in Balochistan as the newly introduced tariff structure is set to boost commercial activity. In a statement, the Chairman of Gwadar Port noted that reduced fees and improved facilities will attract both local and international investors, accelerating economic development in the region and creating new job opportunities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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