Under the hot summer sun, cranes buzz and gantries move over three massive terminals of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) in the offloading and onloading of freight that powers Pakistan‘s economy. In the 2024-25 financial year, the historic port processed a record 54 million tonnes of freight—its biggest ever—that is a testament to new trade opportunities as much as the strength of shrewd policymaking.
A Milestone: Fifty-Four Million Tonnes Strong
During the year ended June 30, 2025, KPT surpassed last year’s record by almost half a million tonnes, posting a 4.45 per cent increase over FY 2023–24’s 53.95 million tonnes. The figure consisted of 41.68 million tonnes of dry cargo, which increased by 3.57 per cent, and 12.28 million tonnes of liquid bulk, which increased by 7.56 per cent. For perspective, 54 million metric tons is roughly the weight of 94,000 fully laden Airbus A380 “superjumbos” standing in for every tonne of goods that passed through Karachi’s gates.
Container Magic – Boxes Turn into Economic Fuel
Bulk freight alone broke new ground. Container traffic exceeded 2.65 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), a cargo length that, if arranged end-to-end, would span over 16,000 kilometres, accounting for 40% of the Earth’s circumference. The boom is as much evidence of the Government of Pakistan’s new “open-door” trade policies as it is evidence of demand increasing for such commodities as electronics to farm inputs.
Exports and Imports – A Balanced Surge
Exports led the way, increasing 6.49 per cent to 20.02 million tonnes, while imports improved 3.28 per cent to 33.93 million tonnes. The increase in exports indicates Pakistani goods are penetrating new markets around the region, from textile centers in Central Asia to consumer markets of the Middle East. At the same time, key imports—machinery, fuel sources, and raw materials—kept arriving solidly, providing manufacturing and construction projects with steady feedstock.
Ships Ahoy! Traffic Vessel Surges
A successful port isn’t so much a matter of tonnage; it’s about motion. In FY 25, Karachi handled 1,943 ships to and from port—a 11 per cent increase over the previous year. They comprised 1,093 container vessels, 218 bulk vessels, 180 general cargo vessels, and 452 liquid bulk tankers. If you lined up just the container vessels end to end, bow to stern, you’d cover some 327 kilometers, nearly the distance from Karachi to the famous ancient archaeological site at Mohenjo-daro.
A Trust Rooted in Heritage
KPT’s modern-day success is built on more than a century of sea heritage. Founded in 1887 by the British Raj, the Trust initially dealt with sailing ships and steamships. Containerization took over by 1973, and KPT emerged as Pakistan’s premier hub for standardized cargo. Its three world-class terminals now span 33 square kilometers—a space larger than Manhattan’s Central Park.
Strategic Outreach Drives the Future
Over the past few months, Islamabad has been wooing neighbours to enhance trade ties, ranging from Central Asian republics craving Pakistani rice and textiles to Gulf allies seeking Karachi as a trans-shipment point. Against the fragile balance-of-payments context, such friendships—and the pro-trade policies that ensue—are absolutely vital to diversify markets and increase foreign exchange inflows.
Charting the Next Horizon
As the Trust celebrates this milestone year, its CEO is already charting the next horizon: digitalization of customs procedures, enhancing rail connectivity to the hinterland, and greener port operations to reduce pollution. If the past century of Karachi Port Trust is any indication, all these innovations will do is make it the throbbing heart of Pakistan’s trade machine.
In an era of weakness in supply chains, Karachi port has not only segregated the goods but has also guided a nation to advancement, potential, and revived global connectivity. While the cranes are set to retire for the night, a new chapter in Pakistan’s maritime history is beginning to emerge.
