Karachi Port Breaks 138-Year Record With 54.685 Million Tons in Annual Cargo Handling

Karachi Port Trust has reached the highest annual cargo handling level in its 138-year history, marking a major milestone for Pakistan’s maritime economy.

According to Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, KPT crossed its previous all-time cargo handling record of 54.685 million tonnes, which was set in FY2017-18. The latest record was achieved during FY2025-26, while KPT’s cargo handling in FY2024-25 stood at 53.951 million tonnes.

This means the latest milestone is not just a port statistic. It is a signal that Pakistan’s trade routes, shipping activity, container movement, and maritime infrastructure are becoming more important at a time when regional supply chains are shifting.

What Exactly Did KPT Achieve?

KPT has handled more cargo in FY2025-26 than in any year since its establishment. The earlier benchmark of 54.685 million tonnes had stood since FY2017-18, making the latest performance a historic operational high for Karachi Port.

The achievement also comes after a strong FY2024-25, when Karachi Port handled around 54 million tonnes of cargo and recorded 2.65 million TEUs in container handling. Business Recorder reported that FY2024-25 cargo handling grew 4.45% over FY2023-24, with both imports and exports contributing to the increase.

Container Handling Also Hit a Record

Cargo tonnage is one part of the story. Containers are the other.

KPT also handled a record volume of containerised cargo of more than 2.65 million TEUs in FY2025-26. Earlier reporting put the figure at over 2.651 million TEUs, described as the highest container handling volume in the country’s history.

This matters because container traffic is one of the clearest indicators of trade activity. More containers mean more movement of manufactured goods, raw materials, machinery, food products, textiles, chemicals, and export cargo through Pakistan’s main commercial gateway.

Why This Is Bigger Than Karachi

Karachi Port is often called the “Gateway to Pakistan” because of its central role in import, export, transit, and transshipment cargo. KPT’s own traffic department describes Karachi Port as a round-the-clock facility for import/export cargo as well as in-transit and transshipment trade.

For Pakistan, higher port throughput can support several economic goals at once: faster cargo clearance, stronger export logistics, more reliable imports, higher port revenue, more shipping activity, and greater investor confidence in maritime infrastructure.

Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry linked the milestone to improved port efficiency, stronger management, expanded capacity, and the government’s reform agenda for the maritime sector. He also said the government is working to modernise ports, expand capacity, strengthen logistics infrastructure, and bring facilities closer to international standards.

Regional Tensions Also Shifted Cargo Toward Pakistan

The timing is important.

Pakistani ports, including KPT, saw increased activity in recent months after regional disruption linked to the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S.-Iran war. Dawn reported that global shipping lines diverted vessels toward Pakistan, causing a surge in transshipment activity at Karachi ports.

Dunya News also reported that several vessels moved away from Gulf transshipment hubs toward KPT, Port Qasim, and Gwadar during the conflict period. That helped lift activity at Pakistani ports and showed how Pakistan can benefit when it is seen as a safer regional shipping alternative.

Pakistan’s Transshipment Opportunity Is Real

In May 2026, KPT received its first fully dedicated transshipment cargo vessel, MV Erlin, at Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited. Business Recorder described the berthing as a major step toward positioning Karachi Port as a regional transshipment hub.

This is where Pakistan’s real opportunity lies. If Karachi can attract more regional cargo, reduce clearance delays, improve road and rail connectivity, and maintain competitive port charges, KPT can move beyond serving Pakistan’s domestic trade and start capturing cargo flows from the wider region.

The Challenge: Turning One Record Into Long-Term Growth

A record year is important, but Pakistan cannot rely only on crisis-driven cargo diversion.

To make this growth permanent, the government must keep improving customs digitisation, terminal productivity, storage management, rail links, road access, dredging, and private-sector participation. The minister’s focus on port modernisation, logistics strengthening, capacity expansion, and investment attraction is the right direction — but execution will decide whether KPT becomes a lasting regional hub.

The next test is simple: can Pakistan keep shipping lines coming even after regional disruption eases?

Bottom Line

KPT’s 138-year cargo handling record is a major win for Pakistan’s maritime sector.

By crossing the old 54.685 million-tonne benchmark and also achieving record container handling, Karachi Port has shown that Pakistan’s ports can handle larger trade flows when capacity, management, and regional opportunity align.

Now the challenge is to turn this moment into a long-term trade advantage.

FAQs

What record did Karachi Port Trust set?

KPT achieved the highest annual cargo handling volume in its 138-year history, surpassing the previous record of 54.685 million tonnes set in FY2017-18.

Was 54.685 million tonnes the new record or old record?

The reported figure of 54.685 million tonnes was the previous all-time benchmark. In FY2025-26, KPT surpassed that level.

How many containers did KPT handle?

KPT handled more than 2.65 million TEUs in FY2025-26, setting a new container handling record.

Why did cargo activity increase?

Improved port efficiency, higher capacity, stronger management, and regional shipping diversions linked to Middle East tensions all contributed to higher activity.

Why does this matter for Pakistan?

Higher port throughput can support exports, imports, logistics, investment, port revenue, and Pakistan’s ambition to become a regional trade and transshipment hub.