pakistan customs

Pakistan Customs notifies new off-dock terminal at Hawksbay Karachi

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International Cargo Terminals Pakistan to operate the facility, strengthening Danish investment and port de-congestion efforts.

KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has formally notified a new off-dock terminal at Hawksbay, Karachi, marking a significant development in the country’s logistics and trade facilitation infrastructure. The terminal will be operated by International Cargo Terminals Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. (ICT), a subsidiary of Denmark-based Scan-Group A/S.

The formal notification was presented by Syed Shakeel Shah, Member Customs (Operations), during a ceremony hosted by the Embassy of Denmark in Islamabad. The event was organised in connection with Denmark’s Constitution Day celebrations and attended by Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Musadik Malik, as Chief Guest.

Modernising Pakistan’s Logistics Infrastructure

Speaking at the ceremony, Syed Shakeel Shah stated that the establishment of the Hawksbay terminal represents an important step towards modernising Pakistan’s logistics infrastructure.

According to officials, the key operational benefits of the new terminal include:

• Enhanced Capacity: Noticeably improving overall cargo handling capabilities.

• Port De-congestion: Reducing heavy bottlenecks and traffic at primary port entry points.

• Expedited Clearances: Accelerating customs clearance timelines for traders.

• Trade Efficiency: Contributing to greater fluidity in the movement of international trade.

The Member Customs reaffirmed the department’s long-term commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, supporting foreign direct investment, and developing modern infrastructure to strengthen the national economy.

Expanding Danish Investment Footprint

The Hawksbay terminal stands as the second major logistics facility established in Pakistan by Scan-Group A/S, following its successful investment and ongoing operations at Port Qasim.

The Danish logistics group maintains an extensive international presence spanning Europe, North America, and Asia. To date, the group has invested more than USD 30 million into Pakistan’s logistics and maritime sector.

Overview of Scan-Group A/S Local Operations

Facility NameLocationPrimary Operational Benefit
Port Qasim FacilityPort Qasim, KarachiUpcountry cargo connectivity & bonded warehousing
Hawksbay TerminalHawksbay, KarachiPort de-congestion & streamlined customs clearance

Boosting Global Investor Confidence

The continued expansion of Scan-Group’s operations reflects growing international investor confidence in Pakistan’s economic potential. It highlights the government’s recent efforts to promote an investment-friendly business environment through coordinated structural reforms.

Representatives of International Cargo Terminals Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. expressed their appreciation for the support extended by key regulatory bodies, including:

1. The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)

2. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)

3. Pakistan Customs

Through this collaborative framework, Pakistan Customs remains committed to modernising trade infrastructure, drawing in foreign capital, and elevating the nation’s logistics efficiency to international standards.