KARACHI: Pakistan’s largest port in Karachi said on Wednesday it handled a record 54 million tons of cargo in the last fiscal year, saying it reflected the government’s favorable trade policies and an increase in the country’s trading volume.
The Karachi Port Trust has been handling containerized cargo since 1973, becoming a key regional shipment hub. With three world-class terminals spanning 33 square kilometers, the port says it connects major shipping lines globally.
Pakistan has reached out to regional allies in recent months to enhance trade and economic cooperation, as it tries to improve its precarious balance of payments position and ensure sustainable economic growth.
“Karachi Port Trust closes fiscal year 2024-25 with flying colors to record a cargo handling milestone of 54 million tons and broke its all-time container handling record to register a massive handling of 2.65 million TEU [Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit] containers,” the port said.
The KPT said it witnessed a cargo handling growth of 4.45 percent compared to fiscal year 2023-24, when the port recorded the handling of 53.95 million tons. The KPT said a breakup of the figures show that the port handled 41.68 million tons of dry cargo in fiscal year 2024-25, registering a growth 3.57 percent and 12.28 million tons of liquid bulk cargo, which recorded a growth of 7.56 percent during the fiscal year 2023-24.
The handling of export cargo witnessed a growth rate of 6.49 percent, registering a handling of 20.02 million tons during the ending fiscal year. It said import cargo handling also remained impressive, recording a growth of 3.28 percent from the preceding year to close at 33.93 million tons during FY25.
“The container handling at Karachi Port reached a record handling of 2.65 million TEUs during the ending year 2024-25 which has mainly resulted due to increased trade activities at the port due to favorable trade policies of the present government,” the port said.
It said vessel movement and handling at the port also registered a growth of 11 percent during the last fiscal year. Out of 1,943 vessels and ships, KPT said it handled 1,093 container ships, 218 bulk carriers, 180 general cargo ships and 452 liquid bulk ship tankers at the port.
“Karachi Port Trust ensures full compliance with the directives of Maritime Affairs Ministry and is well positioned to facilitate in the speedy recovery of national economy,” the port said.
