MSC restores Karachi-Europe shipping link amid exporter concerns over freight costs

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Thursday said that direct shipping connectivity between Karachi and major European ports had been restored, providing relief to exporters facing longer transit times and increased freight costs due to disruptions on international shipping routes, read a statement.

The minister said Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) had reinstated its PREMIUM IPAK service in response to exporters’ demand for a dedicated, direct Europe service.

Under the restored service, MSC will make a weekly call at Karachi Gateway Terminal International (KGTI), connecting Karachi with key European destinations through Colombo, Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Le Havre and London Gateway.

“The restoration of a dedicated Europe service is an important development for our export-oriented industries, particularly the textile sector, which has been facing increased transit times and logistics costs because of disruptions to international shipping routes,” Chaudhry said.

He said textile exporters had recently apprised him of the difficulties caused by changes in shipping routes, particularly those linked to the situation in the Red Sea.

“Exporters told me in a recent that longer vessel journeys were increasing transportation costs and delivery times for shipments to European and US markets. These additional costs and delays have affected the competitiveness of Pakistani exporters,” he said.

The minister said the government was taking up the concerns of the export sector with shipping lines and other relevant stakeholders to improve maritime connectivity and facilitate international trade.

“Reliable and predictable shipping connectivity is essential for Pakistan’s exporters. Our focus is to ensure that the maritime sector supports trade, reduces logistical bottlenecks and strengthens Pakistan’s access to international markets,” he said.

He welcomed MSC’s decision to reinstate the PREMIUM IPAK service, saying the weekly Karachi call would give exporters a more direct link to key European markets.

“The restored service will improve connectivity with major European ports and provide exporters with greater options for planning and moving their shipments,” he said.

The minister, however, noted that the reinstatement of the service should not be viewed as a resolution of the wider challenges affecting international shipping routes.

“Disruptions to established shipping routes continue to have implications for global trade. We will continue working with the shipping industry and exporters to address connectivity and logistics issues and to strengthen Pakistan’s position in international trade,” he said.

Chaudhry said the government remained committed to improving port and shipping services and creating a more efficient maritime logistics system to support exporters and enhance the country’s trade competitiveness.

The federal minister also lauded the efforts of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed and the management of Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL) for restoring the shipping link between Karachi and major European markets.

KPT Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed said measures were under way to further improve the efficiency of the maritime logistics system.

He said the restored shipping connection would improve access from Karachi to key European markets and facilitate the country’s exporters.