Port Qasim at 9th Spot on World Bank Container Port Performance Index
Karachi’s Port Qasim Ranked 9th in World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index
Port Qasim Achieves Global Recognition
Karachi’s Port Qasim has secured the 9th position in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2020-2024, marking one of the most significant improvements worldwide. The latest report, prepared with S&P Global Market Intelligence, highlights Port Qasim’s 35.2-point leap in performance over the four-year period.
Government Reaction to the Ranking
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry praised the achievement as evidence of the government’s reforms and modernization efforts in Pakistan’s maritime sector. He stressed that the recognition affirms Port Qasim’s growing importance as a regional trade hub.
Also Read:Port Qasim to host Chinese-backed maritime industrial complex
Global Comparisons in Port Performance
According to the CPPI 2024:
- Posorja Port (Ecuador) topped the list with a 72.8-point gain.
- Gothenburg Port (Sweden), Marseille Port (France), and Philadelphia Port (USA) followed closely.
- Other high performers included Mawan Port (China), Tin Can Island (Nigeria), Port Said (Egypt), and Lagos Port.
- India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port ranked just behind Port Qasim at number 10.
Factors Driving Port Qasim’s Success
The CPPI identified several factors behind the port’s improvement:
- Reduced waiting times at anchor
- Optimized berth operations
- Digitalization of port systems
- Enhanced coordination among logistics partners
- Greater hinterland connectivity through road, rail, and waterways
Minister Chaudhry’s Statement
Minister Chaudhry credited the success to reforms and modernization, announcing the approval of a long-awaited dredging project to expand the port’s capacity for larger vessels. He also praised DP World’s Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) for maintaining international standards in operations.
The minister emphasized that improved efficiency will attract foreign investment, provide cost-effective shipping solutions, and strengthen Pakistan’s role as a strategic logistics corridor linking the Middle East, Central Asia, and China.
FAQs
Q1: What is the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index (CPPI)?
The CPPI is an annual report assessing over 400 global container ports on efficiency, waiting times, connectivity, and logistics coordination.
Q2: How much did Port Qasim improve in the CPPI 2024 report?
Port Qasim recorded a 35.2-point improvement between 2020 and 2024, placing it among the Top 20 most improved ports worldwide.
Q3: Why is Port Qasim’s ranking significant for Pakistan?
The recognition boosts Pakistan’s maritime reputation, strengthens foreign investment prospects, and enhances export-import competitiveness.
Q4: What upcoming projects will further improve Port Qasim?
The government has approved a dredging project to allow larger vessels and announced greater integration with digital systems and inland transport networks.
Q5: Which ports outperformed Port Qasim in the CPPI ranking?
Ports in Ecuador, Sweden, France, and the USA ranked higher, with Posorja Port in Ecuador taking the top spot.
