Karachi Port Struggles With Week-Long Traffic Crisis After Strike Ends

Karachi Port's Extended Recovery: A Critical Logistics Bottleneck

Karachi Port, Pakistan's largest and most strategically important maritime gateway, is grappling with a significant operational crisis that extends well beyond the conclusion of a transport worker strike. One week after labor action ceased, persistent traffic congestion, vessel backlogs, and cargo processing delays continue to disrupt South Asian supply chains. This prolonged recovery period signals that the immediate cause—worker strike action—may have masked deeper structural challenges in the port's operational resilience and cargo-handling capacity.

The timing and persistence of this disruption are particularly concerning for supply chain professionals. Ports typically experience rapid cargo clearance once labor disputes resolve, assuming infrastructure and equipment remain intact. The fact that congestion persists suggests either (a) a substantial backlog of inbound vessels unable to berth and offload, (b) limited warehouse and staging area capacity to absorb discharged containers, or (c) constrained inland transport connectivity preventing the efficient movement of cleared cargo into Pakistan's distribution network. Each scenario carries distinct implications for shippers and logistics providers relying on Karachi as a critical trade gateway.

Operational Implications for Supply Chain Teams

Immediate tactical response is essential. Organizations with shipments in transit to or currently staged at Karachi Port should initiate contact with freight forwarders and shipping lines to obtain real-time berth and cargo status updates. The extended dwell time directly impacts demurrage and detention costs—expenses that can escalate rapidly when port-side delays extend beyond contractual free time windows. Many shippers face potential cost exposure of $500–$2,000 USD per container per week, depending on equipment type and port fee structures.

Alternative routing evaluation deserves urgent attention. Pakistan operates multiple port facilities, including Port Qasim (approximately 25 kilometers east of Karachi) and the emerging deep-water port at Gwadar. While diverting cargo to alternative gateways introduces its own complexities—including different terminal operators, extended inland transport distances, and variable service levels—the option merits analysis for time-sensitive shipments and high-value cargo. Distribution networks inland from Port Qasim may be less congested, offering a viable secondary option for importers willing to accept modest additional transport costs in exchange for faster clearance and delivery timelines.

Inventory and demand planning adjustments are warranted for organizations dependent on South Asia-sourced materials or Pakistan-bound consumer goods. Extended lead times (potentially 10–14 days beyond pre-strike baselines) require immediate upward revision of transit time estimates in procurement systems and demand forecasting models. Organizations operating on tight inventory buffers face elevated stockout risk; temporary strategic inventory accumulation may be prudent for critical-to-business SKUs until port operations normalize.

Systemic Context and Broader Trade Impact

Karachi Port handles approximately 40% of Pakistan's containerized trade and serves as a critical transshipment hub for landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian markets. The disruption ripples across multiple industries—automotive components, consumer electronics, apparel, agricultural inputs, and pharmaceuticals all flow through this gateway. The Middle East, Europe, and Far East maritime routes that connect via Karachi experience downstream delays affecting perishable goods, time-sensitive components, and just-in-time manufacturing networks.

The strike itself was labor-focused, but the extended recovery suggests that port management, government authorities, and terminal operators face chronic capacity challenges. Investment in berth infrastructure, cargo-handling equipment modernization, and inland transport corridors may be insufficient relative to growing trade volumes. Future labor disputes, weather events, or operational incidents at this port could trigger similarly severe disruptions—a risk that supply chain leaders should factor into strategic port selection and regional diversification decisions.

Forward-Looking Perspective

The coming 7–10 days will be critical. If congestion metrics show marked improvement, the disruption will likely remain a notable but temporary operational blip. However, if delays persist beyond this window or if new vessel arrivals continue to queue, the situation may signal structural port constraints that warrant medium-term mitigation strategies. Supply chain teams should:

1. Monitor daily updates from the Karachi Port Authority and shipping line advisories
2. Assess demurrage exposure and implement cost recovery protocols with carriers where applicable
3. Evaluate alternative ports for future South Asia shipments, even if current loads remain routed through Karachi
4. Engage upstream suppliers in Pakistan to confirm their port recovery timelines and readiness to dispatch follow-on shipments
5. Document post-incident lessons for business continuity planning and port selection criteria

This disruption underscores the fragility of single-port dependency in regional supply networks. Diversification, redundancy, and advanced visibility tools are no longer optional enhancements—they are operational necessities for organizations committed to supply chain resilience in South Asia.

Source: The Express Tribune