Afghan Transit Costs Surge as Carrier Suspends Bookings
Shippers must navigate higher freight expenses as Wan Hai Lines halts cargo bookings for transit through Pakistan.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Transportation
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Wan Hai Lines has suspended all cargo bookings destined for Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan through Pakistani ports. The move comes as regional trade crossings remain closed, significantly disrupting established shipping routes for landlocked nations.
Why it matters
The suspension limits supply chain options for businesses relying on Pakistani transit, already strained by surging shipping costs and transit times. Operators must now navigate higher logistics expenses as they shift toward alternative routes through Iran and Central Asia.
Shipping costs from Karachi to Afghanistan have surged to $10,000 per container compared to $2,000 previously, while transit durations have stretched to two months from 10 days. The route previously handled 11,592 containers in FY2025-26, down from 89,000 annually prior to 2021.
The players
Wan Hai Lines
A Taiwanese container shipping line that operates global freight services and has a significant footprint in Asian transit networks.
Chabahar
An Iranian port serving as a strategic trade gateway for landlocked Central Asian nations and India.
The details
The carrier restriction applies to both carrier-managed and shipper-arranged cargo, forcing importers and exporters to bypass the Pakistani transit network entirely. This policy follows the October 2025 closure of key border crossings like Torkham and Chaman, which paralyzed land-based trade. With limited traditional options, businesses are forced toward more expensive alternatives, including routes through Iran, which accounted for 46 percent of Afghan imports in August.
Timeline
October 12, 2025: Pakistan closed major trade crossings with Afghanistan.
April 26, 2026: The US conditional sanctions waiver for Chabahar port ended.
August 2026: Central Asian routes carried 48 percent of Afghan imports.
October 22, 2026: Wan Hai Lines suspended cargo bookings.
Market Landscape
The shipping suspension follows the 2026 expiration of the US conditional sanctions waiver for the Chabahar port, which previously offered a vital hedge against regional volatility. Logistics providers now face a narrowing landscape as traditional transit corridors remain closed due to ongoing tensions.
Operators currently moving goods through Pakistani ports should immediately re-evaluate lead times and freight budgets for all regional shipments. You should consult with freight forwarders to assess capacity on alternative Central Asian and Iranian corridors.
The takeaway
The closure of established border crossings highlights the extreme fragility of regional logistics in Central Asia. Operators must now monitor the status of the Torkham and Chaman crossings, as any sudden reopening will shift pricing models and capacity requirements across the region overnight.
Further reading
For broader trends impacting global freight, visit our Transportation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Maritime Gateway - South Asia's Premier Shipping and Logistics News Portal.
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