In This Post:
Karachi Port
Port Qasim
Keti Bunder Seaport
Gwadar Port
Pakistan is among the fastest-growing economies in the world, powered by various exports that largely make their way to the rest of the world via different dry ports and seaports in Pakistan. In this blog, we will list down all the major ports and commercial harbours that play a pivotal role in empowering the country’s trade and are responsible for strengthening international ties.
Let’s start cruising!
List of Major Seaports in Pakistan
Manufacturers, producers, traders, distributors, dealers, and buyers across Pakistan depend primarily on the consignment services provided by seaports to import/export their merchandise. The wet ports in Pakistan are responsible for handling more than half of the nation’s cargo per annum.
That being said, the following are four major seaports in Pakistan that are [or will be] tasked with keeping the national economy going:
- Port of Karachi
- Port Muhammad Bin Qasim
- Keti Bunder Sea Port
- Gwadar Port
Port of Karachi
The Port of Karachi – also known as Karachi Port – is an ancient seaport in Karachi. When we say ancient, we mean that the history of this port predates the creation of Pakistan. In fact, it is as old and historic as the city itself. To be exact, the traces of its history are found in a newspaper published in 1557 and was retrieved quite recently. The news article suggests Karachi Port [as a resting place] in a travel guide for Turkish sailors and explorers.
Looking at the historical importance of this seaport in Karachi, we can clearly see that Karachi Port has played a significant role in developing what we see today as the city of lights. Besides, it harbours many domestic and international consignments.
Now, let’s take a look at some amazing features of Karachi Port that makes it the largest and busiest port in Pakistan:
- The West Wharf of Karachi Port can host around 300,000 containers annually. Meanwhile, the East Wharf can consign around 350,000 containers per year.
- It has the oldest oil dock, which will soon be revamped to make space for further loadings.
- Proximity to Kemari Town – a coastal town in the city.
- Closely connected to Saddar Town – a highly esteemed neighbourhood of Karachi.
Port Muhammad Bin Qasim
The second busiest and largest port in Pakistan, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, is situated in the city of lights, at a distance of 15 km from the National Highway. It is also closely connected to some of the major islands near Karachi, including Khiprianwala Island, Buddo Island, and Bundle Island. However, if we further analyse the location of this deep seaport, we can clearly see its linkages with Korangi Town and various other neighbourhoods, such as Korangi Industrial Area, Mehran Town, Lucknow Society, and Allah Wala Town.
As the name implies, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim is named after the great Muslim conqueror, Muhammad Bin Qasim, and it was established in the year 1980. Since then, the port has seen several changes and developments. You can keep track of those changes and the timeline of its development by navigating to our recently published blog, where we have revealed all the details about Port Qasim. For now, let’s focus on the best features of Port Qasim:
- Supports local and international shipping lines
- Situated close to the Custom Office
- Houses around 273 industrial units
Keti Bunder Sea Port
The third mention on our list of commercial seaports in Pakistan is Keti Bunder. Nobody can deny the fact that the province of Sindh is abundantly blessed with natural and man-made wonders. Whether it is about hill stations of Gorakh or the scenic beauty in Bhanbhore, the province has no shortage of magnificent landscapes. Out of many such wonders, Keti Bunder Sea Port is a natural harbour which is situated in Keti Bunder – a historical city in Sindh.
Keti Bunder Sea Port is an under-development commercial port situated in district Thatta – often dubbed as the Rome of Pakistan – on the coastal line of Hajamro Creek. The port connects to the Arabian Sea at a later point and has strong linkages with the commercial engine of Pakistan – Karachi.
Moving forward, if we further analyse the location of this seaport in Sindh, we can clearly see its proximity with Keti Bunder Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to a host of natural resources and several minerals that will facilitate the industrial area in this region. For further information about this on-going project in Sindh, take a look at our blog, where we have shared some vital information about the Keti Bunder Seaport Project.
Now, let’s take a look at the best features of Keti bunder Seaport Project:
- Closely connected to National Highway (N-10)
- Easy access to Karachi and its coastal regions via sea
- Proximity to Gharo and Mirpur Sakro – two rapidly developing towns in Sindh
Gwadar Port
Gwadar Port – a part of Gwadar’s master plan – is yet another major port in Pakistan. The port spans a total area of 2,292 acres, and it is known as the deepest seaport in the world. The port is ideally situated on the Arabian Sea in the city of Gwadar.
The Maritime Secretary of Pakistan oversees the administration of this port, while the operational control is in the hands of the China Overseas Port Holding Company. Located around 120 km southwest of Turbat, Gwadar Port is an important part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plan. Now that you have the essential information about Gwadar Port, let’s take a look at some unique features of this port:
- The port is officially leased to China until 2059
- It houses an oil recovery system
- Closely connected to National Highway (N-10)
So, this is where we end the blog by summarising the information. We have shared all the necessary details about the commercial seaports in Pakistan, including the background, location, and unique features of both developed and under-construction ports. We promise to keep this post updated with the latest information. So, bookmark this page and keep visiting timely.
Moreover, if you want to keep track of other developments in different parts of Pakistan, sail to our recently published posts where we have disclosed some mega projects in Sindh and Punjab that are aimed at elevating tourism, trade, and living standards in the country.
For more informative posts, stay tuned to Zameen Blog, where we regularly discuss the on-going development projects in Pakistan. We’d recommend subscribing to Zameen’s newsletters so you can get the updates delivered directly to your inbox. The process is simple, just enter your email address in the box on the right side of your screen.
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