The federal government on Monday announced a significant reduction in tariffs at Gwadar Port as part of efforts to strengthen its position as a regional transit and transshipment hub and attract greater international shipping traffic.
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According to Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, berthing fees for container ships have been reduced by 25 per cent, while port charges on international transshipment containers have been cut by 40pc. Charges on transit container cargo have also been lowered by up to 31pc. In addition, the government has introduced a one-month free storage facility for general cargo to further ease operational costs for traders and shipping companies.
جنید انوار چوہدری کے مطابق کنٹینر بردار جہازوں کی برتھنگ فیس میں 25 فیصد، انٹرنیشنل ٹرانس شپمنٹ کنٹینرز پر پورٹ چارجز میں 40 فیصد جبکہ ٹرانزٹ کنٹینر کارگو پر چارجز میں 31 فیصد تک کمی کی گئی ہے۔ وفاقی وزیر کا کہنا ہے کہ جنرل کارگو کے لیے ایک ماہ کی مفت اسٹوریج سہولت بھی متعارف… pic.twitter.com/VLUg1MZ6YO
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) May 11, 2026
The minister said the revised tariff structure offers some of the most competitive incentives among Pakistan’s ports and is aimed at making Gwadar more attractive for global shipping lines. He added that the policy shift is expected to significantly increase cargo handling, reduce logistics expenses, and stimulate economic activity in the region.
Chaudhry said the initiative is part of a broader plan to develop Gwadar into a regional logistics hub, which would generate employment opportunities and expand the country’s maritime and trade infrastructure.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global shipping routes and increased the strategic importance of alternative trade corridors. Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch had earlier noted that Gwadar’s shorter access routes to Iran and Central Asia, along with investor-friendly policies, are positioning it as a safer and more efficient trade gateway.
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He also highlighted the operational potential of the Gabd-Rimdan border route as a key multimodal corridor for regional trade. Earlier this month, the port recorded four transshipment vessels in April, signalling growing international interest in Gwadar as an emerging logistics and shipping hub.