60% Port Dues Cuts Aimed for Transshipment Attraction

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry stated on Wednesday that the government is taking steps to provide maximum facilitation at ports to attract foreign cargo transshipment due to evolving regional situation.

In a meeting chaired by Chaudhry, officials discussed issues faced by importers and exporters. The minister highlighted fiscal incentives introduced for foreign-flagged vessels carrying dry bulk export cargo, offering up to 60% concession on port dues to reduce business costs and increase throughput.

Chaudhry urged customs authorities and terminal operators to rationalize charges and streamline procedures to further facilitate trade. He emphasized the need to reduce operational bottlenecks and costs to position Pakistani ports as a preferred destination for regional transshipment.

The meeting included senior officials from Maritime Affairs, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, representatives from Commerce, Karachi Port Trust, Customs, National Logistics Corporation, terminal operators, and Pakistan Ships’ Agents Association. Topics discussed included port dues competition, container scanning, customs clearance processes, and handling auctionable containers.

Chaudhry directed stakeholders to improve coordination and expedite decision-making on longstanding challenges. Wajid Ali reported that around 1,000 containers had been auctioned, with another 200 still pending.