KARACHI: Pakistan’s maritime sector recorded a record profit of Rs100 billion ($360 million) in 2025 following wide-ranging reforms aimed at improving port efficiency, cutting operational costs and modernizing governance, Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Saturday.
Presenting the ministry’s annual performance review in Karachi, Chaudhry said the reforms focused on legislation, digitization, infrastructure upgrades and human resource restructuring to strengthen Pakistan’s position as a regional trade and logistics hub.
According to the minister, Karachi Port handled a historic 54 million tonnes of cargo during 2025, while average vessel dwell time was reduced by 24 to 36 hours through improved coordination among port authorities, customs and other agencies.
He said the government finalized the National Maritime Policy, bringing shipping, ports, fisheries and maritime security under a single strategic framework. A National Shipping Policy was also approved to expand Pakistan’s flagged fleet and reduce dependence on foreign carriers.
Chaudhry added that consultations were completed on the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, targeting seafood exports of $2 billion annually and job creation across coastal communities.
Cost-control measures delivered significant savings, he said, including reduced overtime at Karachi Port Trust and the removal of more than 2,000 redundant positions across maritime institutions.
Authorities also reclaimed encroached land at Karachi Port Trust and Port Qasim Authority, valued at over Rs110 billion, while introducing paperless governance systems, integrating the Pakistan Single Window with port operations, and launching digital asset disposal platforms.
The minister said Pakistan also established an Artificial Intelligence Maritime Secretariat to monitor port performance and introduced the Maritime Century Framework 2047–2147 to guide long-term sector development.
“These steps are laying the groundwork for sustainable growth across ports, shipping and fisheries,” Chaudhry said, adding that continued implementation would be key to maintaining momentum.
