More than 2,000 electric vehicles have arrived in Karachi aboard a roll on roll off vessel, marking one of the leading instances of vehicles being imported into the country through this shipping method. The vessel, MV Grande Shanghai, docked at the KGTML Terminal of Karachi Port carrying the consignment, according to Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry.
Chaudhry described the shipment as a milestone for the country’s shipping sector, noting that it marks a new chapter in how electric vehicles are imported into Pakistan through roll on roll off shipping, a method designed specifically to transport wheeled cargo such as cars and other vehicles directly on and off the vessel without the use of cranes. The minister attributed the successful operation to sustained efforts by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to expand and modernize shipping infrastructure at Pakistani ports, adding that the development signals growing capacity within the country to handle large scale vehicle imports efficiently.
Officials said the roll on roll off route is expected to ease future imports of electric and conventional vehicles alike, cutting handling time and costs compared to conventional container shipping. The shift toward this method could make vehicle imports more efficient going forward, particularly as demand for both electric and traditional vehicles continues to grow across the country.
The development comes amid rising demand for electric vehicles in Pakistan, as the government continues to introduce incentives aimed at encouraging a shift toward cleaner transport options. The successful docking of a large scale electric vehicle shipment through this new method may pave the way for similar imports in the future, offering automakers and importers a potentially faster and more cost effective route for bringing electric vehicles into the country as the sector continues to expand.
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