Pakistan Faces Severe Port Congestion as Shipping Lines Bypass Country Amid India Ban

Pakistan’s export sector is reeling from mounting logistical disruptions, as international shipping lines begin to bypass its ports in response to India’s recent ban on transiting vessels carrying Pakistani cargo, officials confirmed to Arab News on Friday.

The restriction, implemented by New Delhi last week, has triggered widespread rerouting of cargo ships, emergency operational surcharges, and a growing backlog of export containers at major Pakistani ports—posing a fresh challenge to the country’s already fragile economy.

Syed Tahir Hussain, Secretary General of the Pakistan Ship Agents Association (PSAA), confirmed that European shipping services are now avoiding Pakistani ports due to the transit embargo imposed by India. “Several vessels carrying Pakistan’s exports were recently denied berthing at Indian ports and forced to divert to Dubai or Colombo,” he said.

According to shipping documents reviewed by Arab News, at least four vessels this week were denied entry by Indian authorities due to having “Karachi onboard cargo,” and were redirected to alternative ports in Sri Lanka and the UAE. One such vessel, MSC Positano V-JP526R, operated by Swiss carrier MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, rerouted its Pakistani export load via Colombo.

French shipping giant CMA CGM has also removed Karachi from at least four of its service routes and announced an Emergency Operational Recovery Surcharge (EORS) of up to $800 per container for shipments to the US, Latin America, and Australia, effective May 15 to June 6.

“There is a big backlog,” said Khurram Mukhtar, Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA). The textile sector, which brought in $17 billion in export earnings last year, is among the hardest hit. “Most shipping lines are now shifting operations to Colombo, and we expect updated sailing schedules by Monday,” he added.

In response, MSC has launched a weekly “Pakistan-Colombo Shuttle Service” to manage the overflow, but exporters fear this will only partially alleviate the problem.

PSAA Chairman Mohammed A. Rajpar condemned India’s move as “unwarranted” and a violation of international trade norms. He accused New Delhi of trying to sabotage Pakistan’s export-led recovery under the IMF’s $7 billion loan programme.

With over 240 million people, Pakistan is already battling inflation and currency pressures. Analysts warn that the rising shipping costs, delays, and surcharges will likely feed into consumer prices, further straining household budgets.

As of now, major ports including the South Asia Pakistan Terminal (SAPT), Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT), and Karachi Gateway Terminal are facing congestion, with hundreds of containers waiting for overseas shipment.

“This will lead to demurrage issues and detention charges on consignees,” warned a senior official at one of the country’s main container terminals. “Pakistan’s exports are suffering.”