By Ayesha Saba

Pakistan’s major seaports continue to face operational inefficiencies, with average cargo dwell time ranging between 8 to 10 days, substantially higher than regional benchmarks.

According to the “Blue Economy under URAAN Pakistan 2026” report prepared by the Planning Commission, the extended dwell time reflects systemic inefficiencies in port operations, customs clearance, and logistics management.

The report compares Pakistan’s performance with regional countries, noting that cargo dwell time for imports in India averages around 2.6 days, while countries such as China and Vietnam maintain significantly lower turnaround times.

High dwell time increases the cost of doing business by delaying cargo clearance, raising storage costs, and reducing overall supply chain efficiency. It also impacts the competitiveness of Pakistan’s ports in attracting international shipping traffic.

The report notes that delays stem largely from limited adoption of digital systems and weak coordination among port authorities, customs, and logistics providers. Manual processes and procedural bottlenecks continue to slow down cargo handling and clearance.

In addition, congestion around port areas further exacerbates delays. The document notes that restrictions on truck movement during daytime hours limit the ability to maintain continuous cargo flow, resulting in backlogs and increased turnaround times.

Despite the presence of rail connectivity, freight movement remains heavily dependent on road transport, placing additional pressure on port infrastructure and surrounding urban areas.

The report highlights that inefficiencies in port operations not only affect trade costs but also weaken Pakistan’s position in global logistics rankings. Competing regional ports have made significant investments in automation, infrastructure, and process optimisation, allowing them to achieve faster turnaround times and higher efficiency.

Improving port performance is therefore seen as critical for enhancing trade competitiveness and supporting economic growth. The document emphasises the need for modernisation of port infrastructure, digitalisation of processes, and better integration of logistics systems.

It also underscores the importance of coordinated reforms across multiple agencies involved in cargo handling and clearance to reduce delays and improve overall efficiency.

The report concludes that addressing dwell time inefficiencies is essential for strengthening Pakistan’s maritime sector and enabling it to compete effectively with regional and global ports.

Credit: INP-WealthPk