KARACHI:

The Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has reported a significant increase in cargo throughput across its terminals for the July–March period of fiscal year 2025-26, with total cargo handled rising to 36.548 million tonnes from 33.768 million tonnes during the same period last year, marking an 8.2% growth.

Key terminals contributed strongly to this growth, with Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBT) recording a surge from 3.533 million tonnes last year to 5.430 million tonnes, while Huaneng Fuyun Port & Shipping Private (HFP&S) rose from 0.803 million tonnes to 1.203 million tonnes. Other terminals, including Fauji Akbar Portia Marine Terminal (FAP) and Engro Vopak Terminal (EVTL), also showed healthy increases, reflecting operational efficiency and expanded handling capacity.

Conversely, some terminals like Engro Elengy Terminal (EETL) and Pakistan Gas Port LNG Terminal (PGPCL) experienced slight declines in cargo volumes, highlighting localised challenges. The Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) maintained stable container throughput at around 0.75 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEUs) shipping containers.

The overall increase in cargo volume, despite fluctuating terminal performance, signals improved efficiency, with larger volumes being handled per vessel. The PQA’s strategic focus on enhancing infrastructure and operational capabilities continues to strengthen its role in regional maritime trade.

Despite fewer ships, terminals managed to maintain or increase cargo throughput, indicating higher efficiency and larger volumes being handled per vessel. Ongoing Middle East tensions have also supported higher cargo volumes in some segments, as rerouting of trade flows and precautionary stockpiling have increased shipment sizes and throughput at regional ports, PQA officials said.

“Middle East tensions have boosted cargo volumes at Port Qasim Authority as vessels are rerouted to safer ports,” commented PQA Public Relations Officer Asad Warsi.

While overall port operations continue smoothly, certain shipments, particularly petroleum products and containerised cargo, have experienced variations in volume due to rerouting of vessels and adjustments in shipping schedules.

The PQA reported a slight decline in shipping activity for the July–March period of 2025-26, with the total number of ships handled across all terminals decreasing marginally to 1,161 vessels from 1,176 vessels in the same period last year, reflecting a 1.3% dip.

The slight drop in ship calls was observed across most terminals, although key ports continued to accommodate significant cargo volumes, particularly at PIBT and HFP&S.

On a monthly basis, overall cargo volume dropped from 3.676 million tonnes to 3.629 million tonnes, while the number of vessels handled decreased from 122 to 107.

Despite the overall dip, several terminals, most notably PIBT and Fauji Oil Terminal (FOTCO), showed robust growth; PIBT rose to 0.623 million tonnes from 12 ships, and FOTCO increased to 0.596 million tonnes from 14 ships.