Karachi Port Charges Slashed 50% for Green Trade

Karachi, July 20, 2025, 11:08 AM PKT — Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has unveiled a transformative policy shift, slashing port charges at Karachi Port by 50% as of Saturday, a bold move to green Pakistan’s maritime operations, cut emissions, and fuel sustainable economic growth, aligning with a national decarbonization strategy. The reduction in handling, vessel, and storage charges, paired with the cancellation of a planned 5% annual hike, aims to boost trade competitiveness, ease congestion, and benefit dry bulk exporters, while lowering the carbon footprint.

Chaudhry hailed the reforms as a dual win, promising faster vessel turnarounds, reduced idle fuel use, and support for eco-friendly supply chains, tied to smart port modernization via AI, drones, and a high-level committee targeting 70% container dwell time cuts. “This is a pivot to low-impact, future-ready trade,” he declared, echoing the Prime Minister’s vision for a green, resilient economy amid rising sea levels, harsh weather, and maritime pollution. Web context shows sustainability pushes, while posts found on X reflect optimism—some cheer cost relief, others question execution. Critically, the narrative of “green trade” may mask implementation risks—web data hints at past delays, and X sentiment suggests distrust in sustained impact, pointing to potential challenges.