Pakistan Customs has implemented a set of measures to relieve mounting congestion at Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) and South Asia Pakistan Terminal (SAPT), as a surge in trade activity strains port capacity.
The congestion follows a sharp rise in vessel traffic: 56 vessels called at the two terminals in the first three weeks of July 2026, up 14.3% from 49 in the same period last year. SAPT alone handled 52,314 TEUs of container throughput, a 12% increase, while customs examinations rose to 4,298 from 4,007 in 2025 — a 19.9% jump in fresh examination codes. Officials attribute the surge to improving global economic conditions and easing security tensions in the Persian Gulf.
To clear the backlog, Pakistan Customs has relocated more than 2,000 long-stuck containers to off-dock facilities, installed non-intrusive inspection (NII) scanners at all ports, deployed additional examination staff, and introduced Faceless Assessment and Examination to speed processing. Ports have also operated on Sundays to keep cargo moving.
"We have deployed optimal examiner staffing at all ports and have consistently operated on Sundays to ensure timely clearance of cargo," a Customs official said, adding that congestion levels are being monitored daily in coordination with trade representatives and terminal management.
Source: Radio Pakistan