UN/LOCODE: PKKHI📍 Pakistan
Port of Karachi (UN/LOCODE PKKHI)
❖ Coordinates: 24.8615°N, 67.0099°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Karachi
❖ UN/LOCODE: PKKHI
## About the Port
**Port Name:** Karachi (UN/LOCODE: PKKHI)
**Country:** Pakistan – Province of Sindh
**Timezone:** Asia/Karachi (UTC +5)
**Coordinates:** 24.8614622 °N, 67.0099388 °E
Karachi Port sits at the mouth of the Lyari River on the Arabian Sea, forming the western hub of the **Pakistan Maritime Administration (PMA)** network. Its natural deep‑water basin, protected by a breakwater system, allows draft‑intensive vessels to berth year‑round, while the adjacent **Port Qasim** operates as a complementary container and bulk terminal. The port’s geographical position makes it a gateway between South‑Asia, the Persian Gulf, and East‑African trade lanes, providing the shortest maritime distance to the Gulf of Oman (≈ 1 700 km) and the Suez Canal (≈ 8 400 km).
The port is administered by the **Karachi Port Trust (KPT)**, a statutory body empowered to manage commercial operations, safety regulations, and hinterland connectivity. KPT’s strategic mandate focuses on expanding multimodal logistics, integrating rail‑to‑sea corridors, and aligning with the **China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)** framework to attract foreign direct investment.
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## History
### Early Foundations (1850 – 1947)
Karachi’s maritime origins trace back to the mid‑19th century when the British Raj selected the natural harbor for a coal‑fueled steamship dock. The first **Karachi Port Trust Act (1855)** formalised a customs‑controlled facility that primarily handled cotton, grain, and opium exports.
### Post‑Independence Expansion (1947 – 1990)
Following Pakistan’s independence in 1947, Karachi became the country’s premier entry point for both imports and exports. The 1960s saw the inauguration of a **mechanised cargo handling system**, while the 1970s introduced the **Karachi Export Processing Zone** to foster industrial diversification.
### Modernisation Era (1990 – present)
The 1990s marked a shift toward containerisation. The **Karachi Container Terminal (KCT)** opened in 1997, equipped with gantry cranes and automated yard equipment. In 2001, the **CPEC** initiative earmarked Karachi for a $3 billion upgrade, prompting dredging projects that increased the safe draft from 10 m to 12.5 m. Recent years have focused on digital customs clearance via the **National Integrated Trade System (NITS)**, boosting turnaround efficiency by over 30 %.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Terminals
| Terminal | Primary Cargo | Key Equipment | Annual Capacity |
|----------|---------------|----------------|-----------------|
| **KCT – Container** | TEU containers | 6× Super‑Post‑Panamax gantry cranes, 12× Rubber‑tyred gantries | 2.2 million TEU |
| **KPT – General Cargo** | Bulk, break‑bulk, project cargo | 8× mobile cranes (≤ 45 t), 4× reach stackers | 12 million t |
| **KPT – Ro‑Ro** | Vehicles, machinery | 3× roll‑on/roll‑off ramps, 2× stern‑loaded berths | 250 000 units |
| **KPT – Liquid** | Crude oil, LPG, chemicals | 2× deep‑water jetties, 4× single‑point mooring (SPM) units | 6 million t |
### Navigation & Dredging
- **Deep‑water approach channel:** 12.5 m draft, 250 m width, maintained by the **Karachi Port Authority Dredging Programme** (average annual dredge volume 2 million m³).
- **Breakwater system:** 3.8 km of rock‑filled barriers reduce wave impact, ensuring a **seawater surge protection level** of 2.5 m.
### Supporting Facilities
- **Customs & Inspection:** Integrated with the **Pakistan Automated Customs Clearance System (PACCS)**, enabling electronic data interchange (EDI) for pre‑arrival documentation.
- **Storage:** 1 500 000 m² of covered warehouses, 2 000 000 m² of open‑yard space, and temperature‑controlled silos for grain.
- **Connectivity:** Direct link to the **ML‑1 railway line** (Karachi‑Peshawar), a 7‑lane expressway, and a dedicated **Logistics Park** under development to serve CPEC freight corridors.
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## Economic Importance
Karachi Port accounts for **approximately 60 % of Pakistan’s total maritime trade volume**, making it the linchpin of the national economy. In FY 2023‑24, the port handled:
- **Total cargo tonnage:** 65 million metric tons
- **Container throughput:** 2.4 million TEU (a 5 % YoY increase)
- **Revenue generation:** US$ 2.9 billion in port fees, terminal charges, and ancillary services
### Employment & Ancillary Industries
- **Direct employment:** > 25 000 port staff, including stevedores, engineers, and customs officials.
- **Indirect employment:** > 150 000 jobs in logistics, freight forwarding, ship repair, and warehousing.
The port’s proximity to the **Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ)** and the **Industrial Estate of Bin Qasim** catalyses manufacturing clusters in textiles, automotive parts, and petrochemicals. Moreover, the **Karachi–Gwadar maritime corridor** under CPEC aims to shift a portion of trans‑Pakistani cargo to the newer Gwadar Port, but Karachi remains the dominant hub for **high‑value, time‑sensitive shipments**.
### Strategic Role
- **Energy security:** Imports 80 % of Pakistan’s oil and gas via Karachi, utilizing dedicated liquid terminals.
- **Disaster relief:** Serves as the primary entry point for humanitarian aid during regional emergencies, as evidenced during the 2022 floods.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Direction | Destination | Approx. Sailing Time |
|-----------|-------------|----------------------|
| **Northwest** | Persian Gulf (UAE, Saudi Arabia) | 4‑5 days |
| **West** | Red Sea & Suez Canal (Egypt, Europe) | 12‑14 days |
| **Southwest** | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) | 9‑10 days |
| **East** | South‑East Asia (China, Malaysia, Singapore) | 10‑12 days |
| **North** | Indian Subcontinent (Mumbai, Colombo) | 3‑4 days |
These routes are supported by **regular liner services** from major shipping alliances (e.g., MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM), with a combined **weekly frequency of over 70 sailings**.
### Cargo Profile
- **Exports:** Textiles and apparel (≈ 25 % of export volume), rice, leather goods, and engineering products.
- **Imports:** Crude oil, LPG, refined petroleum, fertilizers, machinery, and consumer electronics.
The **container terminal** concentrates on **dry bulk** (e.g., cement, steel) and **finished manufacturing**, while the **general cargo terminal** processes oversized project cargo such as **wind‑turbine components** and **oil‑field equipment** destined for the northern gas fields.
### Emerging Trends
- **Cold‑chain logistics:** Installation of reefer points at the container yard to accommodate perishable food exports to the Gulf and Europe.
- **Digital trade:** Adoption of **Blockchain‑based Bill of Lading** pilots in partnership with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** to enhance supply‑chain transparency (see IMO’s maritime digitalisation roadmap: https://www.imo.org).
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**Karachi Port** remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure, balancing legacy trade patterns with modernisation initiatives. Its continuous expansion, strategic location, and integration into the CPEC framework ensure that it will retain its status as a pivotal hub for regional and intercontinental commerce well into the next decade.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
PKKHI
Country
Pakistan
Province / Region
Sindh
Latitude
24.861462
Longitude
67.009939
Timezone
Asia/Karachi
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Karachi?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Karachi is PKKHI.
Where is Port of Karachi located?
The Port of Karachi is located in Pakistan, Sindh. Its coordinates are 24.8615°N, 67.0099°E.
What time zone is Port of Karachi in?
Port of Karachi operates in the Asia/Karachi time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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