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Pakistan

Pakistan restores weekly shipping link to Europe

Pakistan has restored MSC’s weekly PREMIUM IPAK shipping service from Karachi, reconnecting exporters with major European (EU) markets amid higher freight costs and international shipping disruptions.

News Desk
October 9, 2026
Container ship carrying export cargo at Karachi port as Pakistan restores weekly shipping connectivity with major European ports.
Pakistan restores weekly Karachi-Europe shipping service·None

Pakistan has restored a weekly shipping connection between Karachi and major European ports, offering exporters an additional route to move goods amid disruptions to international shipping networks.


Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on October 8 that Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) had reinstated its PREMIUM IPAK service following demands from exporters for a dedicated shipping link with Europe.


Under the restored service, MSC will make weekly calls at Karachi Gateway Terminal International (KGTI), connecting the port city to European destinations through Colombo, Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Le Havre and London Gateway.


The route is expected to improve shipping options for Pakistani businesses, particularly textile exporters, who have faced longer journeys and higher logistics costs because of changes to international shipping routes.


Exporters had raised concerns that disruptions, including those linked to the Red Sea situation, were increasing delivery times and transportation expenses for shipments to European and US markets.


Higher shipping costs and unpredictable delivery schedules can make it harder for Pakistani businesses to compete in overseas markets, particularly when buyers expect goods to arrive within fixed deadlines.


Chaudhry said the government was working with shipping lines and other stakeholders to address exporters’ concerns and improve maritime connectivity.


He welcomed MSC’s decision to restore the service, saying it would give exporters more options to plan shipments and reach major European markets.


However, the minister cautioned that the resumption of the service did not resolve the wider challenges affecting global shipping routes.


The government will continue working to improve port operations and reduce logistical bottlenecks, while Karachi Port Trust Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Shahid Ahmed said further measures were being pursued to improve the efficiency of the maritime logistics system.

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