In its latest Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2024, the World Bank listed Port Qasim among the Top 20 improving ports globally, with a 35.2-point leap in performance between 2020 and 2024.
The report highlighted that Port Qasim beat the Indian ports by few points.
The top performer in this category is the Posorja port of Ecuador showing an improvement of 72.8 points, followed by Gothenburg port, Sweden, Marseille port France at slot 3, and port Philadelphia,United States.
The other ports showing improvements are Mawan port China with 48.8 points, Tin Can Island, Nigeria, Port Said Egypt, Arab Rep. Lagos port.At the ninth slot is port Muhammad Bin Qasim Pakistan gaining 35.2 points and trailing at 10 spot is Jawaharlal Nehru Port, India.
The report prepared in collaboration with S&P Global Market Intelligence is based on a well-established methodology to generate scores for more than 400 container ports worldwide.
The report highlighted that Ports that improved their scores often did so by reducing time at anchor, optimising berth operations, investing in digital tools, and strengthening coordination across logistics partners.
The report highlighted that dimensions of port performance includes Maritime connectivity and the Intermodal hinterland connectivity.
The maritime connectivity, refers to as foreland connectivity, while the port’s connections to the hinterland through intermodal transport are considered an aspect of the port’s performance from the shipper’s perspective.
“More frequent options for delivering containers to and from the port through rail, truck, and waterway transport make a port more attractive for importers and exporters,” the report highlighted.
The Cargo dwell time and the Distinguishing between berth hours and arrival hours that include time spent waiting at anchor or arriving before reaching the berth, as well as time spent at the berth itself.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has hailed the World Bank’s recognition of Port Qasim as the ninth most improved port worldwide, calling the achievement a testament to government’s sustained reforms and modernisation efforts.
Mr Chaudhry credited reforms and modernisation efforts at the port.He added. “We remain committed to strengthening the maritime sector and making it a vital contributor to national and regional trade.
”The minister also lauded the contribution of private operators, particularly DP World’s Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT), whose management, he said, had ensured that operations at Port Qasim were maintained at international standards.
He further announced that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs had cleared a long-awaited dredging project for the port channel to accommodate larger vessels, enhancing trade handling capacity.
The minister noted that improved port performance is likely to attract foreign investment in maritime and logistics industries, while providing exporters and importers with more reliable and cost-efficient shipping options.Pakistan is seeking to position itself as a strategic logistics corridor linking the Middle East, Central Asia, China, and beyond.Efforts are underway on integrating ports with inland transport networks, expanding digital systems, and ensuring environmental sustainability in maritime operations.
