DP World Launches 'Pipri' Logistics Corridor to Shift Karachi Shipments to Rail

Karachi | EcoPulse24

DP World, in partnership with Pakistan Railways and the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), has launched the construction of the Pipri Multimodal Logistics Corridor. The initiative is designed to restructure container movement between Karachi ports and domestic markets by shifting a substantial share of cargo transport from road to rail.

The project provides an integrated logistics platform aimed at increasing import-export efficiency, expediting shipment times, and improving supply chain reliability, while easing pressure on Karachi’s infrastructure.

Project Scope and First Phase:
- Rehabilitation of a 52-kilometer railway corridor connecting Karachi ports to Pipri
- Creation of a multimodal logistics hub integrating rail, road, and port facilities
- Provision of storage, loading/unloading, cargo consolidation, and value-added logistics services

The first phase is expected to be completed within four months.

Operational and Economic Impact:
Upon operation, the facility is expected to:
- Alleviate congestion at Karachi’s ports and roads
- Reduce transportation costs and transit times
- Lower carbon emissions and extend road infrastructure lifespan
- Enhance Pakistan’s trade links with China, Central Asia, and other regional markets

Incoming containers to Karachi will be moved by rail directly to Pipri, then redistributed domestically or regionally, while export shipments will follow the reverse route to the ports.

Strategic Vision:
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, stated that the project demonstrates the group’s commitment to building world-class trade infrastructure and resilient supply chains. Integrating rail, road, and ports will boost trade flow efficiency, support sustainable logistics, and strengthen Pakistan’s status as a regional trade gateway.

Background:
The project follows a memorandum of understanding signed in January 2025 between DP World, NLC, and Pakistan Railways, followed by a commercial agreement later that year, paving the way for further cooperation in logistics projects.