A sub committee formed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs on the Prime Minister’s directive has held a series of meetings to address key issues affecting Pakistan’s trade and maritime logistics supply chain.
The meetings brought together representatives from the public and private sectors, with discussions focused on concerns raised by the trade community over excessive and non-transparent charges by shipping lines, alternate port discharges, and other operational hurdles for exporters.
To improve transparency, it was agreed that shipping lines will avoid undue or opportunistic pricing in the application of war risk surcharges. Exporters will now be informed of all applicable charges before booking, while shipping companies clarified that these surcharges apply only to routes passing through the Gulf, Middle East, and Red Sea regions.
The committee also directed shipping lines not to discharge cargo at alternate ports except in cases of imminent threat or emergency. It further ruled that consignments already in transit before March 3, 2026, should not be subjected to war risk surcharges.
Officials also raised concerns over the withholding of Bills of Lading due to third-party disputes, noting that the practice leads to financial losses, delays, and disruption for exporters. Traders have been advised to report any unjustified charges or withholding of documents to the relevant authorities.
The Federal Board of Revenue’s Customs Operations leadership stressed the need for all stakeholders, including government agencies, shipping lines, and trade bodies, to work collectively to ensure transparency, fairness, and smooth trade facilitation, especially amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.