5 Major Ports in Pakistan You Didn't Know Existed

Your mind probably immediately jumps to the three largest ports in Pakistan, Karachi, Gwadar and Pasni, which handle over 95% of the country’s cargo. However, did you know that there are actually 5 major ports in Pakistan? Here’s what you need to know about these ports and the ships they support.

1) Port Qasim

Port Qasim is one of the five major ports in Pakistan. It is located in Karachi and is the country's second busiest port. Port Qasim handles a variety of cargo, including containers, oil, chemicals, and grains. The port is also home to a number of industries, including a steel mill and a power plant. This port is one of the largest sea ports in Pakistan and was constructed by General Muhammad Musa Khan (Muhammad Musa) during World War II. It has two dry docks for ship repairs. The harbor has an area that is over 6 km2 (1 sq mi). 

Port Qasim will be used as the site for berthing ships while they are being repaired or serviced.

2) Karachi Port

Karachi Port is one of the busiest and largest ports in Pakistan. The port is located on the Arabian Sea at the southern tip of Karachi. It is also a major deep-water seaport. The Karachi Port is capable of handling all types of vessels, from the smallest craft to the largest carriers. The port handles about 60% of Pakistan's total trade. About 80 million tonnes of cargo are handled annually with about 20 million containers each year.

The Karachi Harbor houses many oil terminals for petroleum export as well as for bulk sugar imports. There are also facilities for handling containerized coal, cement and other bulk materials. A sizable ship repair industry exists as well.

The KPT has 6 jetties - 2 owned by the government and 4 leased out to private companies

3) Lavan Island Port

Lavan Island Port is one of the top ports in Pakistan and is located on the southern tip of the country. The port is famous for its beautiful beaches and has a long history dating back to the time of Alexander the Great. The port is also popular with tourists as it is close to many of the country's major cities. The port has a deep water channel and can accommodate large ships. It is operated by the Federal Government of Pakistan, National Shipping Corporation (NSC) and Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

4) Gwadar Deep Sea Port

Gwadar Deep Sea Port is one of the most popular and beautiful sea ports in Pakistan. It is located on the southwestern coast of Pakistan in the province of Balochistan. The port is situated at the junction of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, about 60 kilometers from the Pakistani-Iranian border. The port was inaugurated by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on November 13, 2016.

5) Pasni Export Processing Zone

Pasni is one of the most popular and best sea ports in Pakistan. The port is located in the province of Balochistan and is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea. Pasni has a large export processing zone which comprises of many industries such as textile, pharmaceutical and seafood processing. The port also handles a large volume of trade with India and is one of the busiest ports in Pakistan. Furthermore, Pasni has two sister cities - Doha (Qatar) and Khor Fakkan (UAE).