Gwadar Port tariff rates slashed

Fee revision targeted at attracting more transit, transshipment container traffic

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has made a sweeping reduction in tariff rates at Gwadar Port to boost trade activities and strengthen the deep-sea facility's position as a competitive regional logistics and transshipment hub.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, in a statement on Monday, made the announcement about tariff reduction, saying the revised policy was designed to significantly increase transit and international transshipment container traffic through Gwadar, while attracting global shipping lines and enhancing overall port activity. "Under the revised tariff structure, berthing fee for container vessels and ships carrying transit or transshipment cargo has been reduced by 25%. Charges on international transshipment container cargo have been slashed by 40%, while transit container cargo charges have been cut by 31%," he said.

In a bid to improve cargo handling efficiency, the port will also provide one-month free storage for general cargo, compared to the standard five-day allowance at other national ports.

"These incentives take effect immediately and further adjustments will be reviewed in phases based on operational data and market response," the minister said, noting that future revisions would be guided by cargo trends, regional competition and sustainability considerations. Chaudhry said the measures form part of a broader strategy to transform Gwadar into a competitive, investor-friendly and modern deep-sea port serving as a strategic gateway for trade with Central Asia, the Middle East, East Africa and beyond.

Amid rising demand for low-cost and congestion-free shipping routes, he said, Gwadar was well-placed to capture a larger share of regional trade flows. The revised tariff regime is expected to reduce operational costs for shipping lines, encourage new transshipment and feeder services and increase cargo throughput. "This initiative will stimulate economic activity in the country, generate employment opportunities and expand Pakistan's logistics and maritime sectors," said the minister.

Meanwhile, Gwadar Port Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch said that significant growth in employment opportunities was expected in Balochistan as the newly introduced tariff structure was set to boost commercial activity. In a statement, he noted that reduced fee and improved facilities would attract both local and international investors, accelerate economic development in the region and create new job opportunities.

Transshipment vessel arrives

Meanwhile, Gwadar Port saw a major boost with the arrival of another transshipment vessel during May. The maritime minister, while highlighting the growing transshipment potential of Gwadar Port, announced the berthing of cargo vessel MV Yuan Hang Wei Ye at 10:15 am on Monday. The ship was carrying 34,000 tonnes of cargo comprising around 20,000 pieces.

He noted that the vessel was engaged in transshipment operations and had consignments destined for Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, which would be offloaded at Gwadar. Chaudhry termed the development a positive sign for the port's increasing role in regional maritime trade, adding that such operations reflect the international confidence in Gwadar's facilities and its strategic position as a transshipment hub.