Pakistan has initiated the construction of a new container vessel in a strategic move aimed at diminishing its reliance on international shipping lines and conserving valuable foreign exchange reserves.
According to an official information today, the steel-cutting ceremony for the 1,100 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) ship for the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) was held at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW). Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, inaugurated the project in the presence of senior officials from the ministry, PNSC, and KSEW.
Addressing the event, Mr Chaudhry described the undertaking as a ‘strategic milestone’ for the nation’s maritime industry, stating it demonstrated the government’s dedication to revitalising the shipping and shipbuilding sectors in alignment with national economic priorities.
He emphasised that the vessel is being constructed using domestic resources and expertise, a testament to Pakistan’s growing indigenous shipbuilding capabilities. Building the ship locally is expected to bolster maritime infrastructure and help reduce dependence on foreign carriers.
The minister stated that adding the new vessel to the PNSC fleet would help preserve foreign exchange by lowering freight payments to overseas companies. It would also augment the corporation”s capacity to support Pakistan’s import and export trade.
Mr Chaudhry highlighted that with nearly 95 percent of Pakistan’s trade volume transported by sea, a robust maritime sector is vital for economic stability and growth. He noted that shipping and ship repair are central components of the country’s National Maritime Policy.
The project is also anticipated to generate employment opportunities for both skilled and semi-skilled workers, contributing to industrial expansion and facilitating technology transfer at the Karachi Shipyard.
Upon completion, the container vessel is poised to enhance PNSC’s operational capacity and competitiveness, strengthening Pakistan’s trade logistics amid ongoing global supply chain volatility.
The federal minister reaffirmed the government”s pledge for sustained investment in the shipbuilding and shipping industries as part of a broader strategy to lower logistics costs, improve trade efficiency, and fortify the nation”s blue economy.