AD Ports Group And CEI Supply Chain Launch Pakistan Logistics Joint Venture

AD Ports Group has created a new joint venture with CEI Supply Chain Private Limited in Pakistan, securing a 51 percent stake in the company. The partners plan an asset-light, door-to-door logistics network across the country and wider region, linking port operations with inland distribution and targeting high-growth trade corridors.

The joint venture intends to connect AD Ports Group’s global ports portfolio with CEI Supply Chain’s on-the-ground logistics services. Operations will focus on integrated freight forwarding, warehousing, and domestic transport, serving major industrial sectors. Key aims include improved supply chain reliability, streamlined cargo handling, and enhanced access for regional traders using Pakistan’s ports.

Pakatistan sits at the centre of AD Ports Group’s plans for the ‘Middle Corridor’ trade route between China and Europe. The company views the country as a maritime entry point into Central Asia, complementing its existing ports, logistics, and maritime assets developed in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan over the past three years.

The joint venture follows a year of expansion by AD Ports Group in Karachi, where the company has become a major investor. In September, it announced a dredging programme with Noatum Ports and Van Oord, deepening berths and channels at Karachi Gateway Terminal and Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited, to support higher-capacity container and bulk traffic.

Established in 1995, CEI Supply Chain is a Pakistan-based freight forwarder and logistics provider. The company offers integrated services that include air and ocean freight, inland transportation, customs clearance, and distribution. Its warehouses and bonded facilities support sectors such as automotive, textiles, and telecommunications, giving the joint venture an immediate operating base.

CEI Supply Chain runs major offices in Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot, and Islamabad, forming a nationwide footprint for the joint venture. These locations will connect with AD Ports Group’s international shipping and logistics network. The partners aim to increase volumes from domestic and cross-border clients in automotive, retail, fast moving consumer goods, and energy.

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The agreement signing took place in Karachi and was attended by senior representatives from both countries. Officials present included Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Alremethi, Consul-General of the United Arab Emirates in Karachi, and Farook Al Zeer, Chairman of the Logistics Cluster at AD Ports Group.

Sohail Yasin Suleman, Group Chairman, World Wide Group, added, "Partnering with a leading integrated trade enabler such as AD Ports Group is a transformative step for CEI, which will support the wider logistics sector in Pakistan. By aligning our strong local networks and legacy client relationships with AD Ports Group’s global expertise, we are creating a platform that will secure end-to-end business and elevate the standard of logistics services in the country."

Abdulaziz Zayed Al Shamsi, Regional CEO - AD Ports Group, said, "Pakistan is a vital trade gateway for the region, and today’s agreement is a natural evolution of our presence. Having secured key port infrastructure and initiated capacity upgrades, we are now entering the hinterland to offer fully integrated logistics solutions. This joint venture with CEI allows us to bridge the gap between port and final consumer, driving efficiency for our customers, and supporting our vision of developing Pakistan as a regional hub for the Middle Corridor and Central Asian markets."

The partners expect the joint venture to support Noatum Logistics’ expanding global network, reinforcing AD Ports Group’s logistics arm with new capabilities in Pakistan. The new company will be consolidated into AD Ports Group’s financial results from the first quarter of 2026. In August 2025, the Group opened its first representative office in Islamabad to deepen government coordination.

AD Ports Group has committed USD 295 million to develop and improve its terminal operations in Karachi so far, and recently agreed with Louis Dreyfus Company to create a clean bulk storage facility at Karachi Port. The new joint venture is intended to channel more trade through these facilities while strengthening Pakistan’s role in regional supply chains.

With inputs from WAM