Pakistan has experienced an unprecedented surge in port activity, with cargo and transshipment volumes increasing by over 1,400 percent, as global shipping disruptions linked to the Middle East situation redirect trade flows toward the country.
Ports including Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar have reported record levels of activity. Notably, Karachi Port processed 8,313 containers in just the past 24 days, surpassing its total volume of 8,300 containers in 2025, marking a 1,423% increase compared to last year.
At the operational level, South Asia Pakistan Terminal handled 5,286 containers, Hutchison Port processed 1,827, and Karachi Gateway Terminal managed 1,200 containers during this surge.
Experts attribute this boom to disruptions in Gulf shipping routes, prompting global logistics operators to seek alternative routes, while Pakistan’s revised transshipment regulations have improved flexibility by allowing cargo handling at both seaports and airports.
Infrastructure improvements under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have also strengthened Pakistan’s position as a regional trade and logistics hub. Analysts say that if this momentum continues, Pakistan could attract sustained investment in port and logistics infrastructure, enhancing its role in global trade.
