Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Thursday directed port authorities to prepare and execute a comprehensive 30-day plan to remove stuck containers and surplus materials, aiming to reduce congestion and improve operational efficiency at port terminals.
While chairing a sub-committee meeting on the relocation and disposal of stranded containers and auctionable cargo, the minister instructed officials to shift these items from on-dock areas to designated off-dock facilities within the set timeframe, according to an official statement.
He emphasised that port operations must continue smoothly, ensuring that domestic trade is not affected by transhipment cargo or delayed containers.
Highlighting the increasing volume of transhipment cargo due to improved port performance and evolving regional dynamics, Chaudhry called for a structured mechanism to move such cargo to off-dock terminals under clearly defined commercial terms.
He also directed authorities to maintain updated records of off-dock facilities and transhipment cargo.
“Pakistan must seize emerging regional opportunities by adopting a forward-looking framework to sustain and expand our ports’ potential,” the minister said.
Officials informed the meeting that stuck containers and excess materials could be shifted to locations such as Sky Media Terminal, Al-Hamd Terminal, Northern Bypass, and other off-dock sites. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will allow shipping companies to dispose of or destroy abandoned containers in line with regulations.
Chaudhry further instructed the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to collect detailed relocation plans from terminal operators and share them with the sub-committee and customs authorities by the end of the week.
During the meeting, it was agreed that customs authorities would facilitate the auction of stuck containers within one month, while terminal operators would clear surplus items such as wooden pallets and unused equipment within the same period. Adjusted reserve prices for mixed cargo lots are expected to accelerate the auction process.
The minister expressed confidence that these coordinated measures would significantly ease congestion, support trade flows, and enhance the efficiency of maritime logistics.
