Pakistan

Pakistan reduces Gwadar Port charges to encourage maritime trade

Published by

Abdul khalique

1 month ago

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced a major reduction in port tariffs to make Gwadar Port a hub for global trade activities and increase international transit traffic.

According to Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, berthing fees for container ships at Gwadar Port have been reduced by 25 percent, while port charges for international transshipment containers have been reduced by 40 percent. In addition, port charges for transit container cargo have also been reduced by up to 31 percent to make the use of Gwadar Port more attractive and affordable for shipping lines.

These incentives provided by the government also include one month of free storage facility for general cargo, which is much more than the five-day facility available at other ports in the country.

Junaid Anwar Chaudhry says that these measures aim to introduce Gwadar as a modern and competitive deep-sea port for Central Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa.

He further said that these concessions will be effective immediately, and further adjustments can be made in the future based on market response and regional competition.

On the other hand, Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch welcomed these changes and said that the new tariff structure will attract the attention of local and international investors, which will create new employment opportunities in the region.

He said that in the context of the recent escalating tension in the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic importance of Gwadar Port has further increased as it provides a short and safe trade route to Iran and Central Asia.

He said that the arrival of four large transshipment ships at Gwadar Port last April is a sign that the port is making its place as an effective alternative trade corridor in the region.

Private oil firms blocked from HSD imports amid forex pressure

The federal government has barred private oil marketing companies from importing high-speed diesel (HSD), handing exclusive procurement authority to Pakistan State Oil (PSO) under a new centralized import policy aimed at managing fuel supplies and easing pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

According to officials, the decision was taken during a recent meeting of the National Coordination and Management Council and will remain effective until the situation in the Middle East stabilizes.

Under the revised arrangement, private oil marketing companies will now require prior approval from the council before importing high-speed diesel, giving the government tighter oversight over import volumes, fuel availability, and foreign currency utilization.

Officials said the move is part of a broader strategy to control Pakistan’s rising oil import bill, which continues to place a significant strain on the country’s external account amid ongoing volatility in international energy markets.

By routing diesel imports through PSO, authorities aim to streamline procurement, ensure coordinated supply management, and align fuel imports with the country’s available foreign exchange reserves and domestic consumption needs.

The policy shift comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding global oil supply routes, particularly in the Gulf region, where fears of disruptions have intensified concerns over energy security.

However, industry stakeholders have raised reservations over the decision, warning that limiting private sector participation could reduce competition, affect supply chain efficiency, and potentially create logistical bottlenecks if fuel demand rises beyond PSO’s handling capacity.

Officials maintained that some flexibility has been retained in the framework, allowing private companies to seek special permission from the council in cases of emergency shortages or exceptional market demand.

Abdul khalique