In the world of global trade, the efficiency of a port can make or break a country’s economic edge. This problem is more pressing for Pakistan, as we are facing increased competition from the neighbouring countries, as they become more competitive, many of which are already outperforming us in terms of port efficiency.

According to a recent World Bank report on Container Port Performance (CPPI) 2020–2024, while Pakistan’s Port Muhammad Bin Qasim has experienced significant improvements, Karachi Port, the largest and busiest seaport of the country, has only made modest strides. The outcome? Pakistan is lagging behind in the increasingly competitive global maritime industry.

The World Bank’s benchmarking index, the CPPI, ranks ports based on their turnaround times. By taking into consideration, the time it takes for a container ship to dock, unload, load and finally depart, while also accounting for the number of container moves per call, it helps to measure the efficiency of a port’s operations. Faster turnaround times mean reduced operating costs for shipping........

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