Karachi Port inaugurates Ferry Terminal, Chabahar service to begin on 20 January

A ferry terminal has been inaugurated at Karachi Port, with the first ferry service to Iran’s Chabahar Port set to commence on 20 January.

The city’s first ferry terminal has been opened at the East Wharf of Karachi Port. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the terminal and ferry service represented a major opportunity for the maritime sector.

He said the Karachi Port ferry terminal was in no way inferior to airport facilities. Passenger immigration, customs clearance and departure processes will be handled at the terminal.

He added that four operators from China have expressed interest in running ferry services, and that strengthening the blue economy is a shared vision of the Prime Minister and the Field Marshal.

On the occasion, the ferry operator said the fare from Karachi to Chabahar would be Rs50,000.

The journey, which will begin at 5pm, will take 16 hours, with the ferry operating twice a week to Chabahar.

Pakistan’s long coastline currently offers limited sea-linked recreational destinations. The new ferry service could open up significant opportunities for maritime tourism.