Karachi’s Port Qasim has achieved a significant global milestone by being ranked 9th among the world’s most improved container ports according to the World Bank’s latest Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) covering the years 2020 to 2024. This remarkable rise in ranking, marked by a 35.2-point leap in overall performance, firmly establishes Port Qasim as one of the top 20 improving ports worldwide. The recognition highlights Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to modernise its maritime infrastructure and optimise port operations, signalling a new era of efficiency and competitiveness for the country’s port sector.
The CPPI, developed through a collaborative effort between the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, evaluates more than 400 container ports globally. It assesses key metrics, including operational efficiency, turnaround times, levels of digitalisation, and a range of logistical improvements that collectively contribute to the performance of container terminals. Port Qasim’s success story is rooted in a series of strategic initiatives focusing on reducing waiting times for vessels, optimising berth utilisation, integrating advanced digital tools, and enhancing collaboration among various logistics stakeholders such as terminal operators, shipping lines, customs authorities, and inland transport providers.
Port Qasim is set to reinforce Pakistan’s position on the global maritime map and play a pivotal role in driving sustainable economic prosperity for the nation in the years to come.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, warmly welcomed the World Bank’s recognition, describing it as a “matter of national pride” that reflects the government’s persistent reform agenda in the maritime sector. He emphasised that the port’s advancement owes much to effective public-private partnerships, particularly the role played by private sector operators such as DP World’s Qasim International Container Terminal, which has been instrumental in adopting global best practices and maintaining high operational standards. Minister Chaudhry used this platform to announce the approval of a long-awaited dredging project designed to deepen the port’s channels and berths, enabling Port Qasim to handle larger vessels with greater draught-an important step to boost shipping capacity and accommodate growing trade volumes.
Rear Admiral Moazzam Ilyas, Chairman of the Port Qasim Authority, credited the port’s dedicated workforce for driving excellence through continuous learning, innovation, and digital transformation. He noted that investments in next-generation technologies, including real-time tracking, automation of cargo handling processes, and enhanced data analytics, have played a pivotal role in minimising delays and improving resource utilisation. Rear Admiral Ilyas reaffirmed the port’s commitment to sustaining this upward trajectory by further refining service quality, expanding infrastructure, and fostering stronger partnerships with regional and international maritime stakeholders.
This achievement is not only a testament to Pakistan’s increasing capabilities in international trade facilitation and logistics management but also positions Port Qasim as a key catalyst for economic growth and regional connectivity. Alongside the major hubs of Karachi and Gwadar, Port Qasim’s enhanced performance is expected to significantly contribute to the integration of South Asia’s maritime trade networks, attracting greater volumes of foreign direct investment and generating new opportunities for exporters, importers, and logistics service providers.
The improved operational efficiency and reliability at Port Qasim are anticipated to reduce overall logistics costs for businesses, expedite the movement of goods, and elevate Pakistan’s standing as a competitive player in global supply chains. This recognition marks an important step toward the country’s overarching vision of transforming its maritime sector into a modern, dynamic, and world-class logistics hub that can effectively support and sustain long-term economic development.
The government’s focus on continuous modernisation, facilitated by infrastructure upgrades and digital innovations, has begun to yield tangible dividends in the form of enhanced port capacity, reduced carbon footprint, and increased employment opportunities. With these advancements, Port Qasim is set to reinforce Pakistan’s position on the global maritime map and play a pivotal role in driving sustainable economic prosperity for the nation in the years to come.