All Other Pakistan Ports, Pakistan
Pakistan’s other ports support regional trade, industrial growth, and maritime connectivity beyond Karachi and Gwadar.
Port Overview
Pakistan’s other ports beyond Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar include Ormara, Pasni, Keti Bandar, and Jiwani. These are located along the Balochistan and Sindh coasts, serving mainly military, fishing, and limited commercial functions. They are smaller in size and rank well below the main ports, with annual TEU capacity negligible compared to Karachi and Port Qasim. Strategically, Ormara and Jiwani enhance naval reach and redundancy, while Pasni and Keti Bandar support local economies and fisheries. Their importance lies in regional security, coastal development, and supplementing overflow from major ports.
Facilities & Infrastructure
All Other Pakistan Ports, aside from Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar, are smaller regional or specialized facilities handling limited cargo types such as bulk, general cargo, or fishing. These ports typically feature basic berths, multipurpose terminals, and general cargo sheds. Equipment includes mobile cranes, forklifts, and conventional cargo handling gear, but they generally lack advanced automation like AGVs. Their infrastructure is modest, supporting local trade and fishing rather than large-scale international shipping.
Container Terminals
Other Pakistan container ports outside Karachi and Port Qasim include Gwadar Port and several dry ports. Gwadar has 4 container berths (with expansion planned), a current annual capacity of about 200,000 TEUs, low automation, and is operated by China Overseas Ports Holding Company. Dry ports (e.g., Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad) offer limited container handling, manual operations, and are managed by Pakistan Railways or private logistics firms. Automation is generally low, with modernization efforts ongoing.
Port Services
- Container handling: Loading, unloading, storage, and transshipment of containers using modern terminal equipment.
- Cargo operations: Handling of bulk, break-bulk, liquid, and general cargo, including loading, unloading, and delivery.
- Ship services: Berthing, pilotage, towage, bunkering, fresh water supply, and waste disposal for vessels.
- Warehousing: On-site storage facilities, transit sheds, and open yards for various cargo types.
- Customs: Customs clearance, inspection, and documentation services for import and export cargo.
Global Connectivity
All Other Pakistan Ports, such as Ormara, Pasni, and Jiwani, primarily serve regional needs including fishing, limited commercial trade, and naval operations. These ports connect coastal Balochistan with the Arabian Sea, supporting local economies and providing strategic depth. While not major international gateways, they link to regional shipping routes and can support overflow from larger ports, indirectly connecting Pakistan to Middle Eastern, African, and Southeast Asian markets.
Port Statistics
All Other Pakistan Ports – Key Statistics (2025):
- TEU Throughput: Combined throughput for all Pakistan ports is approximately 3.38 million TEU (2022); Karachi Port alone handled 2.65 million TEU in FY 2024-25.
- World Ranking: No Pakistan port ranks in the global top 20 container ports.
- Number of Berths: Karachi Port has 33 berths; Port Qasim has 15; Gwadar has 3 operational berths.
- Port Area: Karachi Port covers 33 sq km; Port Qasim spans 13,000 acres; Gwadar Port covers 2,292 acres.
- Shipping Lines: Major global lines such as Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd, and Evergreen call at these ports.
