Karachi Port Trust Announces Major Storage Charge Waivers for Exporters

In a move designed to alleviate the financial burden on exporters grappling with recent logistical challenges, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has announced substantial waivers on storage charges at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) terminals. This initiative directly addresses concerns raised by exporters impacted by disruptions affecting Gulf-bound shipments.

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The waivers aim to reduce financial pressure on importers and exporters, clear pending consignments, and improve cargo clearance efficiency.

Following consultations with terminal operators, Chairman of KPT, Rear Admiral (retd.) Shahid Ahmed, spearheaded the effort to secure these concessions. The waivers include 50% at KGTL for March 1-20, 2026; 50% at KICT for March 1-10, 2026; and 25% at SAPT for March 11-31, 2026. These reductions apply specifically to export containers that became stranded at terminal yards and could not be loaded as planned due to operational issues.

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These measures apply to export containers stranded at terminal yards that could not be loaded due to operational issues.

Minister Chaudhry emphasized that these measures are crucial for reducing financial pressure, clearing pending consignments, and improving the overall efficiency of cargo clearance. He described the move as a positive step towards supporting the export sector, ensuring the continuity of trade, and easing logistical bottlenecks. This relief package is integral to a larger strategy aimed at making Pakistan's maritime sector more responsive, competitive, and better aligned with national trade objectives.

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The move marks a positive step to support the export sector, ensure trade continuity, and ease logistical bottlenecks.

The minister further stressed the importance of enhanced coordination among ports and terminal operators to streamline logistics and elevate service delivery. He underscored that efficient port operations are fundamental to economic stability, bolstering export growth, and fostering investor confidence. By implementing such facilitative measures, Pakistan aims to demonstrate a commitment to a trade-friendly environment, ensuring that operational delays do not translate into avoidable costs for stakeholders.

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Maritime institutions are being encouraged to adopt a more facilitative and trade-friendly approach so that operational delays do not result in avoidable costs for stakeholders.