Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has set a new record for container throughput, handling more than 2.651 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) this fiscal year, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Friday.

The minister said the milestone, achieved weeks before the close of the fiscal year, surpassed the previous high and underlined growing confidence in Pakistan’s maritime sector and improved port performance. “KPT has surpassed last year’s record of 2.651 million TEUs, creating history by achieving the highest-ever container handling volume,” he said in a statement, attributing the result to “the dedication of our workforce, improved operational efficiency and the government’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure.”

Admiral Shahid Ahmad, chairman of KPT, said the performance demonstrated the port’s ability to accommodate rising trade volumes and support national economic objectives. “The ongoing reforms, infrastructure upgrades and measures aimed at improving port services have contributed to the rise in cargo and container traffic,” he said, adding that Karachi Port handles a substantial share of the country’s seaborne trade and remains a critical gateway for imports and exports.

Junaid Chaushry said the enhanced efficiency and capacity expansion at the port are expected to boost Pakistan’s competitiveness in regional and international shipping markets. The government, the minister added, will continue investing in maritime infrastructure and modernisation to position Pakistan as a leading logistics and transshipment hub connecting South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East.
The record throughput is being seen as an indicator of rising commercial activity and the growing importance of Pakistani ports within regional supply chains, Junaid Chaudhry concluded.