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Logistics sector urges urgent action to ease port congestion

The logistics and supply chain industry in Pakistan has highlighted an escalating crisis of port congestion affecting major trade hubs. Persistent delays and inefficiencies at key ports are hampering smooth cargo movement, leading to increased costs and jeopardizing the country’s competitive stance in global markets.

Causes of Port Congestion

Industry experts attribute congestion to several intertwined challenges. Key factors include surging cargo volumes that exceed current infrastructure capacity and outdated equipment hampering swift cargo handling. Procedural bottlenecks within port operations and adverse seasonal conditions exacerbate delays, creating ripple effects across the supply chain.

Impact on Stakeholders

Prolonged vessel waiting times have a domino effect, burdening importers, exporters, and logistics providers. High demurrage charges and missed shipping schedules increase operational expenses and undermine buyer confidence, particularly for time-sensitive cargo. Inland logistics also suffers, with trucks idling longer at ports, resulting in higher fuel consumption and added urban traffic congestion.

Strategic Recommendations for Relief

Callers for reform emphasize a comprehensive approach involving accelerated port modernisation and expansion of terminal capacity. Embracing digital transformation to enable automation and real-time data exchange among shipping lines, customs, and terminal operators can reduce turnaround times significantly. Furthermore, enhancing inter-agency coordination at federal and provincial levels is critical for improving cargo flow beyond the ports.

Investing in alternative transport modalities such as rail and inland waterways presents an opportunity to divert cargo from congested roads. The development of off-dock container yards and logistics parks near ports can relieve pressure on terminal facilities, improving overall logistics efficiency.

Consequences of Inaction

Should port congestion persist unchecked, Pakistan risks diminished trade competitiveness and declining foreign investment—a critical concern amid ongoing global supply chain disruptions. Prompt, coordinated efforts are essential to safeguard Pakistan’s position as a viable trade partner and to support the broader economic ecosystem.

The logistics community continues to advocate for these measures to transform Pakistan’s ports into agile, future-ready gateways capable of sustaining the nation’s growing trade ambitions.