Maritime Business Facilitation Centre proposed to streamline port services

The federal government has proposed a Maritime Business Facilitation Centre that would bring port services for exporters and importers into one place, with the aim of cutting delays and easing trade procedures. Mettis Global reported that Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry made the proposal while chairing a review of port-related projects, citing a press release.

Under the plan, representatives of relevant bodies would sit together at one location, so traders could use several port services without travelling between separate offices. Each organisation would nominate a focal person to help businesses, and an integrated system linked to head offices would process and track applications. The minister argued that this could lower costs tied to trucking, containers, storage, demurrage, vessel delays and paperwork, with first-time port users among those expected to gain.

He also said standardised procedures could improve fee collection and reduce leakages, while higher trade volumes might add income from port services, cargo handling, customs-related work and logistics. A meeting has been called with government departments and maritime stakeholders to gather views on the centre's structure and operations, with Karachi Port, Port Qasim, Gwadar Port, Korangi Fish Harbour, banks, shipping lines and clearing agents expected to attend. The minister has also asked officials to consult every relevant stakeholder and fold their suggestions into the proposal.