Exporters Get Big Relief as Govt Slashes Storage Charges at Terminals

Pakistan will waive 25% to 50% of storage charges at Karachi Port Trust terminals for containers stranded after recent disruptions in Gulf-bound shipments, in a move aimed at easing pressure on exporters and clearing backlogs.

Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the relief on Sunday after consultations with terminal operators to address exporters’ concerns over delayed cargo movement.

The waivers were secured under an initiative led by Karachi Port Trust Chairman Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed on the minister’s direction. Under the arrangement, Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited will offer a 50% waiver for the period from March 1 to March 20, 2026, Karachi International Container Terminal will provide a 50% waiver from March 1 to March 10, and South Asia Pakistan Terminals will grant a 25% waiver from March 11 to March 31.

The relief applies to export containers that remained stuck in terminal yards and could not be loaded because of operational disruptions, the minister said.

Chaudhry said the measure was intended to reduce financial pressure on exporters, clear pending consignments and improve cargo clearance efficiency. He described the move as a step to support the export sector, maintain trade continuity and ease logistical bottlenecks.

He said maritime institutions were being encouraged to adopt a more facilitative and trade-friendly approach so that operational delays do not translate into avoidable costs for businesses.

The minister also called for better coordination among ports and terminal operators to improve logistics and service delivery, saying efficient port operations were critical for economic stability, export growth and investor confidence.