KARACHI: Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Sunday received a third transshipment of cargo bound for ports in the Middle East, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) said, amid ongoing disruptions to regional shipping routes.
The development comes as the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway between Iran and Oman and a key transit route, has been blocked by Tehran amid ongoing United States-Israeli strikes on Iran and its counter attacks against several Gulf states.
Amid widespread disruptions, the Karachi port continues to play a proactive role in mitigating the impact of the regional maritime crisis by facilitating uninterrupted maritime trade, according to the KPT.
On Sunday, a cargo vessel, MV PHOTON, berthed at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) with transshipment cargo destined for Middle Eastern ports.
“This marks the third transshipment call at Karachi Port in recent days, reflecting growing confidence of international shipping lines in the port’s operational reliability and strategic location,” the KPT said in a statement.
The development follows Pakistan’s decision to offer its Karachi seaport for uninterrupted global cargo transshipments at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East. Islamabad has long viewed its seaports as strategic assets that could boost trade with Central Asia and the Gulf region.
The KPT said the Karachi port is capable of supporting global shipping lines during ongoing disruptions.
“Karachi Port remains fully operational and committed to facilitating maritime trade, ensuring the smooth flow of cargo through efficient transshipment services and reliable port operations,” it added.
