Port ban on Pakistani cargo triggers surge in freight costs and shipping delays: Report

India's recent port ban on Pakistani cargo has sent shockwaves through the freight forwarding sector, causing significant delays and driving up shipping costs. Following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, India enforced a strict ban on May 2 that prohibits the direct or indirect import and transit of goods originating from or exported by Pakistan.This policy shift has led to major logistical challenges for Pakistani importers and exporters. Industry experts report that mother vessels have stopped docking at Pakistani ports due to the ban, resulting in shipment delays of 30 to 50 days. As a result, traders have been forced to rely on more expensive feeder vessels with limited cargo capacity, sharply increasing freight costs.Additionally, rising insurance premiums and complex routing have added financial pressure on exporters, further straining the freight forwarding industry.