AD Ports Group to Evaluate and Rationalise Cargo Handling Tariffs at Karachi Port
In June 2023, Pakistan entered a 50-year agreement with AD Ports Group, resulting in the establishment of a joint venture where AD Ports Group holds a majority stake alongside UAE-based Terminals to oversee Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited. Subsequently, AD Ports Group agreed to reassess prevailing cargo handling tariffs in response to Pakistan’s request for fee rationalization at Karachi Port. A federal negotiation body was formed to engage in pricing structures, as earlier agreements were considered detrimental to national commercial interests. Karachi Port Trust has outsourced Bulk and General Cargo Terminal operations at East Wharf to the UAE entity. Discussions also covered progress on active initiatives, highlighting the urgency of acquiring mechanization and digital systems, including cranes and loaders, to boost productivity. Additionally, three memorandums of understanding were executed to strengthen transport networks, streamline cargo flows, lower logistics expenses, and enhance port competitiveness. AD Ports Group committed technical guidance and advisory support for trade, customs, and infrastructure development initiatives.
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Karachi–East Africa Maritime Connectivity Initiative Proposed
Proposals are being advanced to establish direct maritime routes linking Karachi with key East African ports, including Djibouti and Mombasa, designed to lower freight charges by up to thirty percent and shorten delivery timelines through a Karachi–Djibouti corridor. Engagements with maritime authorities aim to reduce transit durations that currently extend beyond forty-five days. Pakistan and Rwanda have agreed to progress toward direct trade and shipping connectivity as part of a wider agenda to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, identifying supply chain efficiency and reduced transit costs as immediate priorities with trade diversification spans coffee, avocados, pulses, beans, rice, textiles, machinery. Both sides endorsed the establishment of dedicated logistics channels, enhanced business engagement, and expanded collaboration across agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, trade, and investment to unlock latent commercial potential. Direct sea connectivity improves Rwanda’s access to global markets despite its landlocked geography by utilizing regional gateways while limiting reliance on third-country transshipment.
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SOCAR To Finalize Investment in Pakistan in February
The SOCAR – State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan has announced to finalize its investment in Pakistan’s oil and gas sector in February. The high-level business roundtable on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos. SOCAR has global operations in more than 20 countries, with a workforce of over 66,000 employees, revenues of about $50.6 billion in 2024, and an estimated net worth of $56.75 billion in 2025. SOCAR views Pakistan as a long-term energy partner, citing market size, rising energy demand and ongoing reforms in the oil and gas sector and has a commercial presence in Pakistan through SOCAR Trading under a government-to-government LNG framework with Pakistan LNG Limited. Under the arrangement, SOCAR can supply up to one LNG cargo per month without take-or-pay obligations, providing flexibility on pricing and volumes. The LNG framework has been extended into 2025. SOCAR’s engagement with Pakistan State Oil on petroleum product supply and the company is interested in expanding cooperation across the oil and gas value chain as reforms continue. The government attracts strategic investment in the oil, gas, and mining sectors while reforms are focused on improving pricing transparency, contractual clarity, and risk-sharing to support private sector participation.
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Pakistan – Canada Relations Deepen with Focus on Minerals and Energy Cooperation
As a central pillar of Pakistan-Canada relations, bilateral cooperation in the minerals and energy sectors, Pakistan, Canada pledge to deepen cooperation in minerals and energy. The success of Barrick Gold at Reko Diq as a model for Pakistan-Canada mineral collaboration and Canada is working to attract more companies to the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF). Community development initiatives, including schools, hospitals, and water purification projects. The Ministry of Natural Resources Canada is prepared to support mineral sector cooperation and invited Pakistan to participate in PDAC 2026, the global mineral exploration and mining convention in Canada, to showcase its mineral potential to international investors. Pakistan’s commitment to labor safety and ESG compliance. Canada’s offer of technical and intellectual support in the energy sector, noting it would strengthen systems and boost investor confidence.
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MT Karachi Joins PNSC Fleet as Newly Inducted Aframax Tanker
Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) has inducted an Aframax tanker, MT Karachi, into its managed fleet. The induction is part of PNSC’s broader fleet expansion strategy focused on increasing tanker capacity. The vessel, with a deadweight tonnage of 109,990, has been inducted through PNSC’s subsidiary, Karachi Shipping (Private) Limited. Aframax-class tankers are commonly deployed for medium-range crude oil transportation and play a key role in regional and international energy trade. PNSC has been expanding its fleet over the past year. In August 2025, the national shipping line increased its fleet to 12 vessels with the induction of two Aframax-class tankers, Swan Lake and P. Aliki, and announced plans to raise the fleet size to 20 ships by the end of the year. Subsequently, in October 2025, PNSC disclosed that its wholly owned subsidiaries had signed Memorandums of Agreement for the purchase of two additional Aframax tankers. These included tanker LORAX, with a deadweight of 109,990 tons, and NAFSIKA, with a deadweight of 112,051 tons, to be acquired through Lahore Shipping (Private) Limited.
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Gas Discovery at Bilitang-1 well in Kohat District, Kyber Pakhtunkhwan
Pakistan Petroleum Limited has announced a gas discovery from the Bilitang-1 exploratory well drilled in the TAL Block, located in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Bilitang-1 was spudded on August 10, 2025, and drilled to a total depth of 4,011 metres true vertical depth (TVD). According to the disclosure, the gas discovery has de-risked further exploration prospects in the TAL Block. The discovery was made from the Lockhart formation, with the well successfully tested at a rate of 1.37 million standard cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas at a 32/64-inch choke. The test was conducted at a wellhead flowing pressure of 254 pounds per square inch (psi). The TAL Block is operated by MOL Pakistan Oil & Gas Co. B.V., which holds a 10% working interest. Other joint venture partners include Oil and Gas Development Company Limited with 30%, Pakistan Petroleum Limited with 30%, Pakistan Oilfields Limited with 25%, and Government Holdings (Private) Limited with 5% working interest.
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SUPARCO Advances AI Solutions for Ports, Customs
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs calls for advanced space-based monitoring systems that could play a crucial role in safeguarding seas, improving maritime management, and strengthening responses to environmental threats. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) proposed to develop artificial intelligence-based solutions for ports, including systems to monitor cargo dwell time, in satellite monitoring, maritime safety, and port management and address customs-related inefficiencies through the Artificial Intelligence Maritime Secretariat (AIMS). SUPARCO proposed a satellite-based assessment of potential sites for new ports, reflecting Pakistan’s focus on expanding its maritime infrastructure. Additionally, officials outlined plans for relief and rescue operations within national maritime boundaries, leveraging satellite technology and artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and response times. The importance of using satellite technology to tackle environmental and ecological challenges, the need to conserve ocean biodiversity, ensure the sustainable use of marine resources, and enhance cooperation on marine environmental protection including the impacts of climate change and disaster risks facing the country’s coastline and maritime sector.
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Pakistan–Indonesia Rice Cooperation Framework
The conversation focused on reviving the Pakistan–Indonesia rice cooperation framework, which had been initially established under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2015. This MoU, which allowed for up to one million metric tons of rice procurement annually, expired in 2019. Pakistan has shared a revised draft with Indonesia and hopes to finalize it soon for long-term cooperation in rice trade. To strengthen bilateral trade, investment, and sector-specific cooperation between the two nations, especially the revival of the rice cooperation framework that expired in 2019. Pakistan’s evolving trade strategy, particularly focusing on rice exports, a key priority for the government. Pakistan remains one of the world’s top rice exporters but is facing challenges due to increased global price competition. the government is working on improving price competitiveness while maintaining high quality to sustain and grow Pakistan’s market share. Indonesia’s interest in enhancing food security, diversifying sourcing, and achieving competitive pricing.
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Gas Discovery at Tibri-1 well in Baluchistan
Mari Energies Limited has announced a gas discovery at the Tibri-1 exploratory well drilled in the Kalchas South Block in Dera Bugti district of Balochistan. The Tibri-1 is the first exploratory well in the Kalchas South Block and was spudded on November 11, 2025, reaching a total depth of 7,170 feet. The Kalchas South joint venture is operated by United Energy Pakistan Limited with a 46% working interest, while Mari Energies Limited holds 44% and Dewan Petroleum (Private) Limited holds the remaining 10%. Initial testing of the Dunghan/Sui Main Limestone formation showed a gas flow rate of 11 million standard cubic feet per day at a 64/64-inch choke with a wellhead flowing pressure of 561 psig. At a 32/64-inch choke, the well flowed 6.5 MMSCFD with a wellhead flowing pressure of 1,161 psig. Further testing is in progress to assess the well’s full potential. Mari Energies noted that exploration activity in the area had remained suspended for an extended period due to security challenges. The joint venture resumed operations after acquiring working interest from Dewan Petroleum in July 2023, leading to the Tibri-1 discovery.
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Oil and Gas Discovery at Baragzai X-01 Well in Kohat, KP
State-owned Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has made oil discovery, adding a cumulative 9,480 barrels per day—about 14.5 percent of Pakistan’s domestic crude oil production. OGDCL announced the latest discovery has made at the Baragzai X-01 (Slant) exploratory well in the Nashpa Exploration License area of Kohat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the company is the operator. The well tested positive in the Samana Suk and Shinawari formations during a cased-hole drill stem test, flowing 3,100 barrels of oil per day along with 8.15 million cubic feet of gas per day at a wellhead flowing pressure of 3,010 psi. OGDCL has recorded three discoveries within one month at the Nashpa Block, collectively adding 9,480 barrels per day, the Kingriali and Datta formations had also resulted in oil and gas discoveries, highlighting the block’s strong hydrocarbon potential, The Baragzai X-01 (Slant) well was spudded on December 30, 2024 and drilled to a total depth of 5,170 metres to evaluate multiple formations. Earlier tests in the Kingriali and Datta formations had also resulted in oil and gas discoveries, highlighting the block’s strong hydrocarbon potential.
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