Pakistan Speeds Up Karachi Port One-Door Facilitation Center as Transshipment Volume Rises

KARACHI — Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Chaudhry has ordered officials to fast-track the establishment of a one-door facilitation center in Karachi, aimed at bringing port-related business services under a single roof, his ministry said on Saturday. The directive comes as transshipment activity at Pakistan’s ports has expanded sharply.

Trade communities have long criticized the need to coordinate with multiple agencies, including Customs, port authorities, shipping agents and other regulators. They have also pointed to delays caused by extensive paperwork and documentation requirements for import and export shipments.

Earlier this month, the ministry said Chaudhry announced plans to create a Maritime Facilitation Center for importers and exporters, where port-related services would be consolidated in one location.

On Saturday, the minister chaired a meeting reviewing the ministry’s ongoing projects and policy initiatives. Officials briefed him on measures designed to support maritime trade, strengthen the fisheries sector and advance Pakistan’s blue economy agenda.

According to the ministry, Chaudhry emphasized the need to accelerate work on the proposed One-Door Cell for business facilitation, describing the initiative as a step to make government services more accessible to port-related businesses.

“In line with the Prime Minister’s vision for trade facilitation, all services related to port trade should be made available under one roof,” he was quoted as saying.

Officials said Pakistan has seen a fourfold increase in transshipment at its ports since the conflict between the United States and Iran erupted in the Middle East in late February. The country has since intensified efforts to position itself as a hub for global trade and transshipment.

The Saturday meeting also examined proposals to simplify ship registration and fishing-vessel registration, along with measures related to the blue economy and tax incentives for fisheries exporters.

Officials briefed the minister on progress toward developing the National Maritime Policy and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy.

The discussion included the Shipping and Transshipment Policy, as well as development projects at Port Qasim, including the Sea-to-Steel Project and the proposed Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex.

The ministry said Chaudhry directed relevant officials to maintain momentum on these projects and ensure timely progress, with particular focus on steps that would improve the ease of doing business in the maritime sector.

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