18,000 Iranian Cargo Containers Stranded At Pakistani Ports Over High Fees

Around 18,000 containers belonging to Iranian cargo owners remain stranded at Pakistani ports as mounting storage, demurrage and transport charges make their clearance increasingly expensive, according to reports by Iranwire and Mehr News Agency.

Mohammad-Ali Kargascha, a board member of Iran’s International Transport Companies Association, disclosed the estimate during a meeting of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce’s Transport Commission. He said the combined costs for some shipments had exceeded $25,000, approaching the value of the goods themselves.

Kargascha said many shipments were worth between $20,000 and $30,000, making it economically unviable for owners to pay the additional charges.

The blockage began in March 2026 following maritime transport restrictions triggered by the Middle East war.

Some cargo reached Pakistani ports after shipping routes changed, but financial and operational hurdles have prevented its onward movement to Iran.

He identified bills of lading registered under intermediary companies, concerns over potential sanctions repercussions and excessive fees as major obstacles.

Despite follow-up notices, owners of only around 1,000 containers have started clearance procedures.

Peyman Sanandaji, head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce’s Transport Commission, said Iranian officials were coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iranian Embassy in Pakistan to resolve the issue. Authorities plan to send Pakistan an updated list identifying cargo owners and their shipments’ destinations.

Sanandaji alleged that some unauthorised companies had collected exorbitant payments without taking effective steps to release the cargo.

Meanwhile, Amir Naqiseh, chief executive of an international logistics firm, said authorities had yet to implement a previously negotiated 80 per cent fee discount.

The private sector has proposed moving the cargo by sea to Chabahar Port using vessels carrying 300–400 containers. However, the proposal remains pending coordination with Pakistan and agreement on costs.

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