Islamabad: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, announced the launch of a new feeder shipping service connecting Karachi Port to the United Arab Emirates. This initiative aims to enhance transshipment capabilities, providing a significant boost to the country’s maritime connectivity and trade infrastructure.

According to Press Information Department, the Karachi Gateway Terminal (Private) Limited (KGTL), a major partner of Karachi Port Trust, will be supported by this dedicated feeder service. The service will link Karachi with the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, enhancing access to global container shipping networks for Pakistani importers and exporters. The feeder service, part of AD Ports Group’s international arm, Noatum Ports, commenced operations with the arrival of its first vessel at KGTL on March 11.

This development is expected to support supply chain continuity and ensure dependable access to international markets. With the advanced logistics infrastructure of the UAE, cargo routed through Fujairah and Khor Fakkan will have seamless connectivity to regional and international networks. Containers will be efficiently transferred via integrated road and rail corridors to major commercial hubs and logistics centers across the UAE.

Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed (Retd.), Chairman of Karachi Port Trust, highlighted the importance of this service in enhancing Karachi Port’s connectivity with regional hubs. He emphasized the role of the service in facilitating smoother cargo movement and offering greater flexibility for Pakistan’s trading community. Khurram Aziz Khan, CEO of KGTL, reiterated the terminal’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s maritime connectivity and supporting the trading community by providing reliable access to global shipping networks.

Minister Chaudhry concluded that the strengthened connectivity with regional transshipment hubs will offer additional resilience for Pakistan’s economy, which is heavily reliant on maritime trade.