Karachi is seeing a record rise in maritime activity as global shipping lines divert routes toward Pakistan amid escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
The situation has positioned Karachi Port as one of the safest and most reliable alternatives for international trade.
Long queues of container vessels and cargo shipments have been reported at Karachi Port, showing a sharp increase in demand. Shipping companies are actively rerouting their vessels to avoid risk routes, leading to congestion but also signalling growing confidence in Pakistan’s maritime security.
The scale of growth is evident in transhipment figures. In 2025, Karachi Port handled around 8,300 TEUs for the entire year. In contrast, the port has already processed approximately 8,860 TEUs within just the past few weeks.
At the same time, Gwadar Port is also emerging as a key regional hub. A special vessel successfully berthed at the port, handling dozens of transhipment cargo units, showing its growing operational capacity.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry stated that Gwadar is rapidly becoming a secure maritime centre during regional instability. He said that global shipping lines are increasingly considering Gwadar as a safe alternative amid disruptions to traditional trade routes.
He said that ongoing regional tensions have disrupted established shipping corridors, boosting the importance of Pakistan’s ports. Gwadar offers competitive advantages including free storage for transhipment cargo, modern infrastructure, and substantial handling capacity.
With the ability to manage thousands of containers and extensive cargo storage facilities, both Karachi and Gwadar ports are poised to play a central role in regional trade, strengthening Pakistan’s position in the global maritime economy.
Iran agrees to allow 20 more ships under Pakistani flag to pass through Strait of Hormuz: Ishaq Dar
In a separate development, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, on Saturday said that the Government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 additional Pakistan-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with two vessels set to transit the strait daily.
In a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Dar termed the development a “welcome and constructive gesture” by Iran.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that it deserved appreciation and reflected a positive step toward regional peace and stability.
On X, Ishaq Dar said, “I am pleased to share a great news that the Government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will cross the Strait daily.”
He added that the move would help strengthen collective efforts that are aimed at de-escalation of the current situation and confidence-building in the region.
The foreign minister stated that dialogue, diplomacy and such confidence-building measures remain the only viable path forward.
He further said the announcement was a meaningful step toward ushering in greater stability in the region.
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