Latest news with #PortQasimAuthority
Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's first National Dredging Company formed
Pakistan's first National Dredging and Marine Services (NDMS) company has been formed in collaboration with Port Qasim Authority, Karachi Port Trust, Gwadar Port Authority and National Logistics Corporation (NLC), according to a statement on Wednesday. As per the details, the initiative aims to provide cost effective and long-term solutions for dredging requirements of Pakistani ports. To commence operations, the company will undertake capital dredging of Port Qasim from October 2025. By developing indigenous dredging capabilities, NDMS would pave the way for greater self-reliance, operational continuity and sustainable maritime growth, the statement said.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pakistan Slashes Port Qasim Export Fees 50% in Bid to Revive Trade, Lure Ocean Carriers
Pakistan's Port Qasim Authority has cut port charges for exporters by 50 percent as the country's government seeks to boost trade and economic development. The announcement was made at a meeting of Pakistan's Maritime Affairs Ministry on Monday, as the federal government implements a broader reform agenda aimed at strengthening the country's maritime sector and facilitating economic growth via improved port operations. More from Sourcing Journal Maersk Resumes Haifa Imports; Strait of Hormuz Shipping Normalizes China Port Volumes Hit Record Highs on US Tariff Truce WTO to Intervene in Trade Disputes Between Canada and China 'The government's reform agenda in the maritime sector, including the charge reduction at Port Qasim, signals a strong commitment to supporting the business community, enhancing trade facilitation and promoting economic development across coastal regions,' said Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Pakistan's federal minister of maritime affairs, during the meeting. Chaudhry said the cuts are vital to 'empowering exporters and encouraging local industry.' Pakistan is a significant apparel exporting nation, with both finished apparel and textiles representing a combined 55.2 percent of the country's total exports from July 2024 to April 2025. In that stretch, apparel and textiles increased by 8.4 percent to $14.8 billion over the first 10 months of the year prior. But more recently, these exports appear to have slowed. In April, Pakistan's exports across the category dipped 1.3 percent to $1.2 billion in the month. Port Qasim is the second busiest port in Pakistan after the Port of Karachi, servicing 52 percent of all imports and exports for the country. Port Qasim has 15 terminals, including two container terminals owned by DP World. Citing a DP World report, Dubai-based newspaper Gulf News indicated that a 40-foot container exported from Port Qasim typically has an extra fee of 14,430 Pakistani rupees ($50). The decision also comes more than a month after Pakistan and India cut off trade and transit with one another in the wake of a terrorist attack in the bordering south Asian countries' Kashmir region. Both countries closed their airspace to each other, and recently extended their suspensions to July 24. But out on the ocean, both countries have banned imports of goods that have transited through the other country's ports as well. The reciprocal restrictions to seaport access have posed a hindrance for ocean carriers that resulted in increased freight rates for exporters, as well as shipping delays. Vessels looking to make direct calls at Port Qasim or the Port of Karachi would be turned away from Indian ports like Mundra or Nhava Sheva, effectively forcing the carriers to choose one country over the other. This became more of a problem for Pakistan than India, as large container ships visiting Pakistan carry up to 70 percent Indian goods, according to the Pakistan Ship's Agents Association—incentivizing carriers to instead prioritize India's ports on their regular routes. As a result, many container shipping companies have since left the Pakistani ports including Qasim outside their own service routes. They have adjusted by redirecting cargo to transshipment hubs like Colombo Port in Sri Lanka or the UAE's Jebel Ali Port, and establishing feeder service lines from those ports to Pakistan. The ocean carriers accompanied these adjustments with additional surcharges, with companies like Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM tacking on hundreds extra in fees to pick up and handle containers out of Pakistani ports. Such charges are costly for exporters throughout the country, making the 50-percent cut a decision that could incentivize more businesses to export cargo out of the gateway, while enticing the carriers to pull back on their extra fees. Even before the drama with India started, Pakistan's ports had operated at only 50 percent of their capacity, according to the Maritime Affairs Ministry. In February, the ministry approved a national maritime policy for 2025 that will stay in effect until 2047. The policy includes the introduction of the Pakistan Maritime Port Act, aimed at standardizing regulations across all ports, as well as a plan to establish a national dredging company to oversee the expansion of the country's ports. Like India, Pakistan is seeking to become a more influential maritime power with the modernization of its national ocean carrier, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. For 2025, the ministry set a target for the sector to generate 100 billion Pakistani rupees ($352.6 million) in profit. During Monday's meeting, officials briefed the participants that the ship recycling industry had generated a revenue of 6 billion Pakistani rupees ($21.1 million), reflecting the growing potential of maritime industries in the country.
Business Recorder
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Govt, APCMA in sync: Cement export target from PQA set at 1.5m tons: SAPM
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has set cement export target at 1.5 million tons from Port Qasim Authority only and to achieve the target the government and the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) are closely collaborating. This was stated by the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, while chairing a high-level meeting of the task force formed to enhance the competitiveness of Pakistan's cement and clinker exports. The SAPM stressed that to meet the cement export target of 1.5 million tons next year, enhancing storage capacity at Port Qasim is essential. According to official figures recently released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), during first 11 months of the ongoing fiscal year July-May 2024-25, the country's cement exports witnessed an increase of 22 percent on annual basis as cement exports crossed eight million tons. Shipments increased by 30 per cent year-on-year from 6.18Mt to 8.0Mt. In May 2025, exports rose by six per cent year-on-year to $34 million in value and by 45 percent month-on-month from April 2025. Overall, national exports grew by five percent while imports rose by 7.5 percent over the same period. The meeting reviewed key logistical and infrastructural issues including the movement of cargo on Lyari Expressway, challenges faced by DHA and Cantonment authorities on Malir Expressway, and the need for increased storage capacity at Port Qasim. The Ministry of Communications informed the forum that allowing cargo traffic on Lyari Expressway would incur a cost of Rs4 to Rs5 billion. The National Highways Authority (NHA) is working on two major motorway projects: Sukkur–Hyderabad at a cost of Rs600 billion and Hyderabad–Karachi at a cost of Rs400 billion. SAPM Khan emphasised that issues faced by DHA and Cantonment authorities on Malir Expressway are still unresolved and need urgent attention. The task force also informed that truck marshalling yards are being connected to railway tracks to improve cargo handling. Chairman of Port Qasim Authority informed that port charges have been reduced by 50 percent to support exporters. The committee highlighted that Karachi Port Trust (KPT) charges have remained lower than other ports since 1994. To facilitate cement exports, Khan said discussions will be held with the Sindh government to acquire land for extending the railway track and a sub-committee has been constituted to meet with the chief minister of Sindh in this regard. According to the committee, 40,000 tons of cement are currently being exported to the United States from Berth No 2 (MW2) at Port Qasim. SAPM Khan remarked that this successful export to the US demonstrates the global competitiveness of Pakistan's cement sector. Cement exporters present at the meeting also reiterated the need for increased storage facilities to meet growing international demand. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PQA: charges cut in half for exporters
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Monday, announced cutting port charges at Port Qasim Authority (PQA) by 50 percent for exporters, aligning with the government's reform agenda to enhance trade and economic growth. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry made this announcement here, while chairing a high-level strategic roadmap meeting. Chaudhry emphasised the government's commitment to creating opportunities for local businessmen and encouraging domestic trade through ports and fisheries. The government's reform agenda in the maritime sector, including the charge reduction at Port Qasim, signals a strong commitment to supporting the business community, enhancing trade facilitation, and promoting economic development across coastal regions, he added. He announced plans to establish an Aquaculture Industrial Zone aimed at promoting business activities in the marine and aquaculture sectors. He revealed that Pakistan's first-ever Marine and Aquaculture Policy will be introduced soon to provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable development in these areas. The meeting also reported impressive achievements by the Marine Fisheries Department, which has met its export target of $410 million this year through fisheries and aquaculture exports. Additionally, the ship recycling industry has generated revenue of 6 billion Pakistani rupees, reflecting the growing potential of maritime industries in the country. Chaudhry underscored the importance of green shipping initiatives, aligning with global trends to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable maritime practices. He stressed that the government is focused on modernising port infrastructure, streamlining customs operations, and fostering a business-friendly environment to enhance Pakistan's competitiveness in international trade. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs is actively working on reforms to unlock the economic potential of vast coastline and maritime resources. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to transform the maritime sector, boost exports, and contribute significantly to the country's GDP, he noted. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
14-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Minister stresses need for ecological preservation at ports
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has emphasised the need to balance industrial growth with ecological preservation at ports, underscoring a strategic vision that aligns economic development with environmental sustainability. In a statement on Friday, he called on the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) to intensify efforts to protect the environment across all industrial zones under its jurisdiction, stressing the importance of responsible industrial growth alongside ecological preservation. The Minister directed PQA management to ensure that all industrial units have installed sewage treatment plants. He directed that the failure to comply should result in penalties under environmental laws for pollution and improper waste discharge to curb industrial pollution and safeguard marine and coastal ecosystem. Praising PQA's engagement of independent third-party for environmental monitoring, the Minister urged the port to maintain impartial, data-driven assessments of industrial compliance. This approach will improve transparency and strengthen regulatory enforcement. Highlighting PQA's commitment to the global Green Port Initiative, the Minister noted that the authority has successfully planted over 25,000 trees within port areas, significantly contributing to carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration. 'These efforts underscore PQA's unwavering dedication to environmental responsibility and a sustainable, greener future for maritime sector.' He said it aligns with broader government policies to modernise maritime infrastructure and enforce stricter environmental regulations, including waste management and afforestation projects. The Ministry continues to collaborate with port authorities, industry stakeholders, and environmental agencies to ensure the ports contribute positively to climate resilience and marine conservation, he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
