ISLAMABAD:
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has launched an initiative to expand and modernise the national shipping fleet as part of efforts to strengthen maritime infrastructure and reduce reliance on foreign vessels.
Chairing an agreements’ signing meeting, the federal minister said the initiative is designed not only to cut the sea freight bill and conserve foreign exchange, but also to support climate-smart maritime practices by ensuring a cleaner, more efficient domestic fleet.
He said Pakistan plans to increase its shipping capacity by 600% over the next three years, with a focus on incorporating greener technologies and energy-efficient vessels into the state-owned fleet.
The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Qasim Authority (PQA) signed separate agreements with state-run Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), pledging financial support for fleet expansion.
The agreements were signed by A Abdullah Zaki, representing KPT’s transition management committee, Rear Admiral (Retd) Syed Moazzam Ilyas, Chairman PQA and Syed Jarar Haider Kazmi, CEO PNSC.
The deals were finalised days after a high-level policy meeting, in which maritime stakeholders agreed to align fleet modernisation with environmental sustainability and national climate goals.