With its major ports currently operating at only half their capacity, Pakistan has embarked on a new phase of transformation to become a regional trade hub, aiming to significantly boost its blue economy and drive overall economic growth, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry stated on Thursday.
Addressing the Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference, Chaudhry outlined a vision where Pakistan actively engages with Central Asian, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and East African nations to fortify maritime cooperation and develop new trade avenues. He emphasized that the underused capacity at Karachi Port and Port Qasim presents a vast opportunity for regional partners.
The minister highlighted Gwadar Port, equipped with modern transshipment facilities, as central to this regional integration strategy. He projected that these initiatives could help Pakistan’s economy expand to one trillion US dollars by 2035, with trade volumes potentially exceeding 250 billion dollars.
To facilitate this anticipated growth, Pakistan has introduced a modern, artificial intelligence-powered port community system. Furthermore, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is set to enlarge its fleet to 30 vessels by mid-2026, a move expected to contribute up to two percent to the national GDP.
Chaudhry described the revival of the Gaddani ship recycling yard and the creation of an Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex at Port Qasim as ‘game changers’ for the nation’s maritime future. He extended an invitation to regional counterparts to visit Pakistan’s ports and observe the advancements in infrastructure and logistics firsthand.
The conference session on Regional Maritime Cooperation and the Blue Economy convened experts and policymakers from 26 countries. ‘Our oceans are not barriers but bridges,’ the minister remarked, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda by leveraging its 1,046-kilometer coastline and 290,000-square-kilometer Exclusive Economic Zone.
Outlining a decade-long maritime vision, Chaudhry detailed goals to build a globally competitive industry by 2035. This long-term strategy includes expanding PNSC’s fleet to 80 ships, digitizing port operations, and fostering shipbuilding, aquaculture, and coastal tourism to raise the maritime sector’s GDP share from 0.8 to two percent.
He noted that crucial road and rail connectivity improvements linking the ports are slated for completion by 2028. Gwadar, supported by its new international airport, is projected to become a leading port for cargo throughput by 2030 and a key gateway for energy and IT connectivity.
Concluding his address, the minister asserted that Pakistan’s maritime journey signifies a deliberate shift ‘from potential to progress and integration.’ The event saw participation from 22 countries, including transport ministers from Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, alongside delegates from the Asian Development Bank and other international organizations.