Beyond The Strait Of Hormuz: Pakistan’s Untapped Maritime Advantage |
With 20% of global trade under consistent risk through Hormuz, Pakistan is already receiving diverted cargo but lacks policy readiness to retain it. Turning geography into destiny needs the timely alignment of reforms to make the ports competitive.
Global shipping trade experiences frequent shifts during regional tensions that raise serious concerns about the viability of conventional marine routes. The maritime geography of Pakistan provides it with invaluable geostrategic value.
Its coastline runs along the Arabian Sea in proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most crucial choke points of global supply chains. Tensions in the Gulf region disrupt one-fifth of global energy and commercial shipping flow.
Pakistan’s ports always serve as a risk-free alternative for major transshipping hubs due to their relatively close location to conflict zones. Nonetheless, Pakistan can benefit from shifting global supply chains only if its ports function as risk-free key nodes in marine networks and maintain operational standards as per international benchmarks.
Pakistan’s port infrastructure comprises three ports, including Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Gwadar Port. Each of these is characterised by distinct operational features.
Karachi Port is the country’s oldest and one of South Asia’s busiest deep-seaports. In recent Gulf conflicts, this port has observed a substantial increase in shipping activities.
Approximately 75% of the redirected cargo shipments are handled at Karachi Port. This volume is significantly higher than the total handling at the same port during the previous year.
This rerouting is beneficial in terms of revenue generation but is least likely to be........