Pakistan has proposed the establishment of direct feeder shipping lines with Malaysia to significantly reduce transport durations and freight expenses, a move aimed at boosting the country”s rice exports and streamlining edible oil imports.
According to an official information today, the initiative was presented during a high-level meeting in the United Kingdom between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Datuk Hasbi bin Habibollah.
The two officials met on the sidelines of maritime engagements on Tuesday to review existing bilateral ties and identify new opportunities for collaboration within the port and shipping sectors.
During the discussion, Minister Chaudhry also put forward a formal offer to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on enhancing seafarer training through a reciprocal cadet-exchange program.
The proposed agreement would see Pakistan send its marine cadets to Malaysian academies for instruction, while Malaysian cadets would attend specialized training programs in Pakistan. ‘This exchange will contribute to the professional development of young seafarers in both countries and strengthen long-term cooperation in the maritime sector,’ the maritime minister stated.
Islamabad further offered Kuala Lumpur access to its digital port infrastructure, including the fully operational Pakistan Single Window platform, which has been successful in reducing cargo-clearance times and improving trade transparency at Karachi Port and Port Qasim.
The push for direct feeder lines, with potential onward connectivity to Indonesia, aligns with Pakistan’s broader strategy to enhance maritime links with ASEAN economies, where demand for Pakistani agricultural products is growing.
For Malaysia, the proposed framework offers a chance to expand its maritime training network and improve regional logistics integration under its transport-sector modernization agenda.
Both parties concluded the meeting by agreeing to conduct further technical consultations to finalize the scope of the MoU and establish the mechanisms for implementing the proposed initiatives.