The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has issued new directives to address congestion at Port Qasim. The measures include enforcing a first-come, first-served berthing policy and improving coordination between the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and port authorities.
According to an official statement released on Saturday, the ministry launched several steps to streamline sugar and cement handling operations. The move follows reports of severe congestion at Port Qasim caused by the slow discharge of sugar consignments.
A high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry reviewed the situation and its impact on export activities. The minister highlighted that congestion affects the timely movement of goods, including cement and clinker shipments.
Chaudhry emphasized the importance of improving operational efficiency across all ports to prevent delays and ensure a smooth supply chain. He said that better coordination between stakeholders is vital to align port operations with national logistics priorities.
During the meeting, officials noted that sugar was being unloaded below the port’s capacity. The minister directed the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) to increase sugar unloading operations in line with its daily capacity of 4,000 to 4,500 tons.
The meeting also discussed directives from the Prime Minister’s Office to divert up to 60% of sugar imports to Gwadar Port. This move aims to reduce the load on Karachi’s terminals and improve cargo flow nationwide.
Participants agreed that all vessels at Port Qasim and Karachi Port will now be berthed strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Both port authorities must enforce this policy and monitor discharge performance. Penalties will be imposed in cases of unnecessary delays.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs also directed TCP and other state importers to coordinate their cargo arrival schedules in advance. The goal is to avoid bottlenecks and ensure efficient freight movement across all ports.
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