Karachi Port Trust posts highest annual cargo handling in its 138-year history

KARACHI: Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Sunday that the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) had recorded the highest annual cargo handling volume in its 138-year history, surpassing its previous peak set in FY2017-18.

In a statement, the minister said KPT exceeded its earlier all-time record of 54.685 million tonnes during the current fiscal year, FY2025-26. Figures available on the KPT website show that cargo handling in the previous fiscal year, FY2024-25, stood at 53.951 million tonnes.

The development comes as Pakistani ports, including KPT, have seen increased activity in recent months after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Iran war. Global shipping lines redirected vessels to Pakistan, resulting in a sharp rise in transhipment activity at Karachi ports.

Minister links milestone to reforms and port capacity

Chaudhry described the new record as an indication of expansion in the maritime sector and improved performance at the port. He attributed the result to better management and greater port capacity, and said it represented progress for Pakistan’s maritime economy, port infrastructure and trade.

The minister said the achievement reflected the success of his ministry’s reform agenda as well as KPT’s professional capabilities. He added that the government was continuing efforts to modernise ports, increase capacity, strengthen logistics infrastructure and provide facilities in line with international standards in an effort to improve Pakistan’s standing as a regional maritime and trade hub.

He also reiterated the ministry’s commitment to upgrading all national ports, encouraging investment and promoting trade activity to support broader economic growth. Chaudhry congratulated KPT Chairman Rear Admiral (retired) Shahid Ahmed, along with the port’s officers, employees and other stakeholders, saying the result had come through coordinated planning, teamwork and sustained effort.

Container traffic also reaches a record level

The KPT chairman also congratulated the port’s workforce and said the milestone reflected the institution’s professionalism, strategy and teamwork. He added that efforts would continue to further improve KPT’s operational performance and competitiveness.

The ministry also said that during FY2025-26, KPT handled a record volume of containerised cargo of more than 2.65 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

In May, the first fully transhipment cargo vessel arrived at KPT, which the ministry described as a sign of Pakistan’s emergence as a regional transhipment hub. Earlier this month, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and local partners signed a memorandum of understanding to explore development of a maritime business district on 140 acres of prime KPT waterfront land.