Pakistan announces sweeping fee cuts at Gwadar port to attract global shipping

ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Monday announced sweeping reductions in tariff rates at Gwadar Port aimed at strengthening the deep-sea facility’s position as a competitive regional logistics and transshipment hub. In a statement, the minister said the revised policy is designed to significantly increase transit and international transshipment container traffic through Gwadar, while attracting global shipping lines and enhancing overall port activity. “Under the revised tariff structure, berthing fees for container vessels and ships carrying transit or transshipment cargo have been reduced by 25 percent. Charges on international transshipment container cargo have been slashed by 40 percent, while transit container cargo charges have been cut by 31 percent,” he said. In a major incentive aimed at improving cargo handling efficiency, the port will also provide one month of free storage for general cargo, compared to the standard five-day allowance at other national ports. “These incentives take effect immediately, and further adjustments will be reviewed in phases based on operational data and market response,” the minister added, noting that future revisions would be guided by cargo trends, regional competition, and sustainability considerations. Juniad Chaudhry said the measures form 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 is well placed to capture a larger share of regional trade flows. The revised tariff regime, he added, is expected to reduce operational costs for shipping lines, encourage new transshipment and feeder services, and increase cargo throughput. “This initiative will stimulate economic activity in the country, generate employment opportunities