In September 2025, Star Shipping – Pakistan coordinated its third project cargo movement of the year, overseeing shipments from both Karachi Port and Port Qasim, underscoring the country’s role as a logistics hub for oversized and non-standard freight.
The shipment included two 40-foot flat racks, one 40-foot standard container, and one 20-foot container. The combination of standard and oversized cargo required multiple handling approaches, both at port and during inland transport. In project logistics, such consignments demand far more than routine freight forwarding. Planning routes, securing specialized equipment, and coordinating port operations remain essential for safe movement.
Breakbulk and Heavy Cargo Movements
Star Shipping – Pakistan has built a track record managing breakbulk and heavy lift operations through the nation’s two main seaports. Shipments of abnormal loads often require surveyors, port stevedores, and inland transport specialists to work together. In certain cases, transport of oversized items demands road modifications, specialized trailers, or even police escorts to ensure compliance and safety.
Ports in Pakistan play a key role in regional cargo flow, particularly for industrial machinery, energy sector equipment, and large-scale construction materials. Karachi Port and Port Qasim have long been gateways for cargoes bound for Africa and the Middle East, regions where demand for energy and infrastructure projects continues to grow.
Services Supporting Complex Shipments
Project cargo is not a single service but a chain of coordinated steps. For this movement, services typically include:
- Handling breakbulk and oversized cargo
- Out-of-Gauge (OOG) transport on routes beyond regular liner coverage
- Export packaging and crating for heavy industrial equipment
- Stevedoring for lifts requiring cranes and heavy gear
- Vessel chartering when liner services are unsuitable
- Compliance for hazardous cargo, including permits and customs
- Lashing and securing tailored for sea and road conditions
These activities often combine containerized shipments with breakbulk solutions, ensuring flexibility when cargo cannot fit into conventional transport systems.
Human Expertise in Project Logistics
Beyond equipment and permits, the human element drives project logistics. Survey teams verify load safety, operators handle heavy lifts, and customs officials oversee compliance. When oversized cargo moves inland, on-the-ground teams monitor clearances, bridges, and route challenges in real time. Without this level of supervision, even small delays can ripple across entire supply chains.
This September movement highlights the importance of Karachi Port and Port Qasim as critical exit points for specialized cargoes that cannot be moved on standard liner services. With projects in energy, oil and gas, and construction sectors continuing to expand across Africa and the Middle East, both ports are expected to handle a growing share of project cargo in the coming years.
