ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received its first consignment of electric vehicles (EVs) through a Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel, with officials describing the shipment as an important step for the country’s maritime transport sector.
The MV Grande Shanghai docked at Karachi Port’s KICT/KGTML terminal carrying more than 2,000 electric vehicles, the first consignment of its kind to arrive in Pakistan through a Ro-Ro vessel, according to an official statement issued on Friday.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry called the arrival a “historic moment” for Pakistan’s shipping industry, saying it reflected improved logistics capabilities at the country’s ports.
Ro-Ro vessels are designed to carry wheeled cargo, allowing vehicles to be driven directly on and off the ship using built-in ramps instead of cranes. Officials said the method reduces handling time and shipping costs compared with conventional container transport.
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The minister said the successful handling of the shipment demonstrated Pakistan’s ability to manage Ro-Ro cargo operations. He said continued investment in port infrastructure would help improve cargo handling and facilitate trade.
“Karachi Port is steadily adopting internationally accepted shipping practices,” Chaudhry said, adding that such measures would help expand Pakistan’s trade links and improve port services.
The arrival of the first EV shipment through a Ro-Ro vessel also reflects the increasing use of specialised shipping methods for vehicle imports into Pakistan.
