GWADAR: A transshipment cargo ship, MV Sho-Long, docked at Gwadar Port on Monday. It is the first major ship to arrive at the port this month.

According to Gwadar Port authorities, the ship is carrying 16,077 metric tons of transshipment cargo. The cargo consists of more than 13,000 packages, including Chinese-manufactured industrial equipment and pipes. The shipment was originally destined for Kuwait but was diverted to Gwadar due to the ongoing maritime situation in the Strait of Hormuz, triggered by US-Israel-launched war on Iran.

Chairman of Gwadar Port, Noor-ul-Haq Baloch, said that four transshipment shops were recorded at the port during April 2026, indicating Gwadar’s growing importance as an alternative trade route in the region.

He further said that berthing, cargo handling, and documentation processes for diverted vessels are being carried out efficiently, strengthening the port’s operational readiness and reliability for global trade.

This development highlights Gwadar Port’s emergence as a key transshipment hub in the Arabian Sea, offering a safe and efficient alternative route for Gulf and regional markets.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026