The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) today formally appealed to the federal government for immediate intervention, seeking a complete waiver or substantial reduction of massive demurrage and detention fees that have accrued on consignments stranded at the nation”s ports following a paralyzing 10day nationwide transporters” strike.
In a direct communication to Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Chairman of the Businessmen Group, Zubair Motiwala, and KCCI President Rehan Hanif outlined the dire circumstances facing the business community. They detailed how the strike, which lasted from December 8th to 17th, 2025, brought cargo movement to and from Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and associated terminals to a nearcomplete standstill.
The KCCI leadership emphasized that both import and export consignments were immobilized during this period through no fault of the business owners, resulting in the daily accumulation of heavy financial penalties. This forced stoppage has imposed an “unbearable financial burden” on traders and industrialists.
The prolonged impasse had a crippling effect on national commerce, severely disrupting supply chains, halting production cycles, and jeopardizing export commitments. The chamber noted that exporters are now contending with shipment delays, potential order cancellations, and damage to their credibility with international buyers, while importers have been unable to clear essential raw materials needed for industrial operations.
According to the letter, these portrelated levies threaten to erode the already thin profit margins of businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are already navigating a challenging economic environment of high energy costs and elevated interest rates.
Throughout the industrial action, the KCCI stated it was actively engaged in crisis resolution, mediating between transporters and authorities. The chamber consistently warned that the paralysis of cargo movement amounted to “economic sabotage” and would inflict longterm damage on the country”s trade and exports.
The organization has urged the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to direct shipping lines, terminal operators, and port authorities to waive, suspend, or significantly reduce the accrued charges for the strike period.
Furthermore, KCCI requested that extraordinary facilitation measures be implemented to ensure the swift clearance of the container backlog, allowing trade flows to normalize without imposing additional financial strain. They asserted that such a timely intervention would not only mitigate immediate losses but also reinforce the government”s commitment to safeguarding industry during unforeseen crises.