The National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has launched Pakistan’s first containerized shipping service, providing a direct sea route between Pakistan and the Gulf region. This new shipping service will connect Karachi with Jebel Ali in Dubai and Dammam in Saudi Arabia.
This initiative is expected to improve trade between Pakistan and Gulf countries by making cargo transportation faster and more efficient. The service will operate on a 10-day cycle, meaning ships will complete a round trip between these ports every ten days.
Two cargo vessels will be used for this service, each with the capacity to carry 1,120 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), which are standard containers used for shipping goods. An important feature of this new shipping route is that payments for shipments will be made in Pakistani rupees. This will make financial transactions easier for Pakistani businesses, reducing dependence on foreign currencies.
The launch of this shipping service is part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen trade relations with Gulf countries and promote Pakistan’s exports. By having its own shipping service, Pakistan can reduce reliance on foreign shipping companies and improve its maritime trade sector.
This step is expected to benefit exporters, importers, and businesses by providing a more reliable and cost-effective transportation option for goods moving between Pakistan and the Gulf states.
