KARACHI — The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has directed immediate measures to ease congestion at Port Qasim, including enforcing a first-come, first-served berthing policy and improving coordination between the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and port authorities.
The directives follow reports of delays in sugar and cement handling operations caused by the slow discharge of sugar consignments, according to an official statement issued Saturday.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation and its impact on exports, particularly cement and clinker shipments. He urged all ports to enhance operational efficiency and align management with national logistics priorities to avoid supply chain disruptions.
The meeting was informed that sugar unloading rates were below port capacity. The minister directed the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) to increase the discharge rate to around 4,000 to 4,500 tons per day and implement performance monitoring with penalties for delays.
It was agreed that vessels at Port Qasim and Karachi Port would be berthed strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. The meeting also reviewed Prime Minister’s Office directives to route up to 60% of sugar imports through Gwadar Port to ease pressure on Karachi terminals.
TCP and other state importers were instructed to coordinate freight movement plans with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs ahead of cargo arrivals to ensure timely clearance and efficient turnaround of ships.
