ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Direct shipping connectivity between Karachi and major European ports has been restored, providing relief to exporters facing longer transit times and increased freight costs due to disruptions on international shipping routes, Federal Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on Thursday.
In a statement, the minister noted that the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) had “reinstated its PREMIUM IPAK service” in response to exporters’ demand for a dedicated and direct Europe service.
Under the restored service, MSC will make weekly calls at Karachi Gateway Terminal International (KGTI), connecting the port city to key European destinations, including Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Le Havre and London Gateway via Colombo.
“Previously we had no transshipment service from Karachi Port. However, now we have a full-swing service as Pakistan has emerged as the transshipment hub of the region,” the minister said.
He added that the restoration of a dedicated Europe service was an important development for the country’s export-oriented industries, particularly the textile sector, which had been facing increased transit times and logistics costs because of disruptions to international shipping routes.
The minister referred to his meeting with textile exporters who had recently informed him about the difficulties caused by changes in shipping routes, particularly those linked to the situation in the Red Sea.
“Exporters had earlier expressed concern that longer vessel journeys were increasing transportation costs and delivery times for shipments to European and US markets. These additional costs and delays have affected the competitiveness of Pakistani exporters,” he said.
“The restored service will improve connectivity with major European ports and provide exporters with greater options for planning and moving their shipments,” he said.
The minister, however, noted that the reinstatement of the service should not be viewed as a resolution of the wider challenges affecting international shipping routes.
“Disruptions to established shipping routes continue to have implications for global trade. We will continue working with the shipping industry and exporters to address connectivity and logistics issues and to strengthen Pakistan’s position in international trade,” he said.
Risk-based inspections
In another development, the KPT chairman proposed standardised 24/7 electronic delivery orders, risk-based inspections, non-intrusive scanning, joint inspections and common sampling.
He was chairing a meeting of the Working Group on Shipping Connectivity and Optimisation at the KPT head office, focusing on removing physical and regulatory bottlenecks and making cargo clearance faster and more predictable.
Terminal operators expressed readiness for night inspections, while Pakistan Customs was requested to facilitate round-the-clock operations.
