ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Monday announced a major reduction in tariffs at Gwadar Port aimed at boosting international transit trade, according to an official statement.

The minister said berthing fees for container ships had been reduced by 25 per cent, while port charges on international transhipment containers had been cut by 40pc. He added that port charges on transit container cargo had also been reduced by up to 31pc.

Further, one month of free storage has been introduced for general cargo, compared with the standard five-day allowance at other ports in the country.

“Ships bringing transit and transshipment cargo have been given major relief,” Chaudhry was quoted as saying.

New incentives aim to lure international trade and boost competitiveness

“These incentives take effect immediately, and further adjustments will be reviewed in phases based on operational data and market response,” the minister said, adding that future revisions would be guided by cargo trends, regional competition, and sustainability considerations.

Mr Chaudhry said the measures formed part of a broader strategy to transform Gwadar into a competitive, investor-friendly and modern deep-sea port serving as a strategic gateway for trade with Central Asia, the Middle East, East Africa and beyond.

He said that amid rising demand for low-cost and congestion-free shipping routes, Gwadar was well placed to capture a larger share of regional trade flows. The revised tariff regime, he added, was expected to reduce operational costs for shipping lines, encourage new transhipment and feeder services, and increase cargo throughput.

“This initiative will stimulate economic activity in the country, generate employment opportunities, and expand Pakistan’s logistics and maritime sectors,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch said the new tariff structure was expected to create employment opportunities.

He said reduced fees and improved facilities would attract local and international investors, accelerate regional economic development, and create new jobs.

A day earlier, Mr Baloch said Gwadar Port’s strategic importance had increased amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz because of its shorter access routes to Iran and Central Asia, as well as investor-friendly incentives.

During a meeting with members of the All Pakistan Shipping Association in Karachi, he said the port was increasingly being viewed as a safe regional trade gateway.

He said Gwadar had the potential to become the future hub of regional trade and logistics because of its low operational costs, modern facilities and shorter trade routes. He added that the Gabd-Rimdan border route had emerged as an effective multi-modal corridor for promoting trade with Iran and Central Asia.

Earlier this month, Mr Baloch also said that four transhipment ships were recorded at the port during April, indicating Gwadar’s growing importance as an alternative trade route in the region.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2026