Pakistan’s total throughput witnessed a negative trend from 2016-17 to 2019-20, however, it was able to register positive growth in 2020-21, but again fell in 2021-22.
Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT), has handled its first-ever export shipment from Uzbekistan. The shipment was transported by land to the Port of Karachi where it was prepared for export to India. The cargo-containership Messina Line’s JOLLY QUARZO, the first ro-ro vessel docked at the facility on 1 February 2022 and marked the resumption of ro-ro services at the Port of Karachi after 20 years. PICT hopes this development would encourage other countries to leverage Pakistan’s trade route.
The freight charges are soaring due to logistics imbalance of container shortages, skipping port calls, reduction of vessel capacity and partial closure of major ports around the world. Thus, ultimately increased exports from Pakistan on the back of importing raw material, machinery items etc. to meet the demand.
Till 3QFY21, the country was also affected by lock- downs, but port cargo handling picked up momentum from the fourth quarter after local situation improved and exports to the US, European Union and China recorded significant increases.
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