Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Thursday that Pakistan’s seas, long under-utilized, are now central to the nation’s economic vision and climate-resilient maritime growth strategy.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Pakistan International Maritime Exhibition and Conference 2025 (PIMEC), the flagship event of Pakistan Maritime Week, Junaid Chaudhry reaffirmed the government’s resolve to turn Pakistan into a strong, connected and prosperous sustainable maritime nation.
“PIMEC 2025 is more than an exhibition, it is a declaration of Pakistan’s maritime intent,” he said, noting that the event attracted international partners, investors and experts exploring opportunities across the blue economy, including shipping, fisheries, logistics, shipbuilding and digital transformation.
Minister Chaudhry highlighted recent progress in the sector, saying the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) fleet has expanded from 10 to 12 ships, with three more expected to arrive within two months. Tenders for 12 additional vessels are under process, with plans to expand the fleet to 30 ships by 2026 and 60 within three years.
The minister said that the ministry has granted a license to the first-ever private company to operate ferry services, marking a step toward cleaner and more sustainable maritime mobility.
Announcing new initiatives, Junaid Chaudhry said Pakistan’s first Green Ship Repair and Recycling Yard will be established at Port Qasim under the “Sea to Steel Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex,” which will also support the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills. A Rs. 12 billion investment is also underway to modernize the Gaddani Ship Recycling Yard in line with Hong Kong Convention environmental standards.
He said the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy 2025–2035 has been finalized, targeting a doubling of fisheries exports within a year. Maritime Education Endowment Fund has been created and Pakistan Marine Academy will be upgraded into a full-fledged Maritime University to train the next generation of seafarers.
Outlining his long-term vision, Minister Chaudhry said Pakistan’s “Maritime Century (2047–2147)” will rest on five pillars including developing three new deep-sea ports, expanding the national shipping fleet, building AI-enabled Maritime Industrial Complexes for shipbuilding and recycling, producing “Made-in-Pakistan” ships, achieving 100% green digital ports with multimodal connectivity, and leading regional maritime cooperation for peace and shared prosperity.
“The sea is our next frontier for trade, prosperity, energy, food and climate resilience,” he said, adding that by 2047, Pakistan aims to emerge as a global blue economy hub driving sustainable growth across the North Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
Junaid Chaudhry emphasized Pakistan’s strategic location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and East Africa, calling it a natural maritime gateway for the region and added: under Prime Minister’s guidance, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs is implementing the “Maritime @100” vision, a $100 billion blue economy plan by Pakistan’s centenary in 2047.
Junaid Anwar Chaudhry concluded by calling for renewed regional cooperation and innovation, saying Pakistan’s future “lies in the sea from Gwadar to the global ocean.”
