Pakistan Maritime News covers the latest developments, updates, and insights from Pakistan’s maritime sector. This category reports on shipping, ports and harbors, coastal and marine safety, fisheries and seafood exports, maritime trade and logistics, naval and coast guard activities, blue economy initiatives, and marine environmental issues. It provides timely, accurate, and in-depth coverage of policies, projects, investments, and incidents shaping Pakistan’s maritime landscape, serving industry professionals, policymakers, researchers, and the general public seeking reliable maritime news from Pakistan.
A high-value maritime security operation in the Arabian Sea has delivered a major blow to regional smuggling networks, as authorities seized illicit liquor worth Rs200 million from a stateless vessel in a coordinated crackdown on maritime crime.
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In a major relief for Pakistan’s import-export sector, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry confirmed that shipping agents have assured authorities that no war risk surcharges are being imposed on in-transit shipments or cargo routed through alternative global trade corridors.
The announcement came during a high-level meeting focused on resolving pressing challenges faced by Pakistan’s exporters, importers, and logistics stakeholders. The minister emphasized that proactive steps are already underway to ensure fair shipping costs, transparent freight charges, and uninterrupted cargo movement.
In a major step toward environmental sustainability and eco-restoration, the district administration in Thatta has launched an ambitious campaign aimed at protecting natural resources and enhancing biodiversity at Keenjhar Lake.
The initiative, titled “Clean Keenjhar, Green Thatta,” was formally launched by Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Ali Bhagat, who planted saplings around the lake and oversaw the release of 70,000 fish seedlings into the water. The campaign also includes a large-scale tree plantation drive targeting 100,000 trees across the district.
Pakistan’s major seaports are rapidly transforming into a high-value global trade hub, as international shipping lines reroute vessels toward safer corridors in the Arabian Sea logistics network, bypassing heightened risks in the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing Middle East tensions. With improved port efficiency, reduced shipping costs, and faster cargo clearance, ports in Karachi are witnessing long queues of container ships, signaling a major shift in global shipping routes, maritime logistics, and supply chain resilience.
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Pakistan has initiated a major maritime infrastructure upgrade as dredging work begins at Karachi Port, a move expected to significantly enhance port capacity, attract larger cargo vessels, and strengthen the country’s position in global shipping and logistics markets.
The development was announced by Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, who confirmed that dredging of the main navigation channel by Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited is now underway. The project follows a formal agreement with Karachi Port Trust and is scheduled for completion within three months.
Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has signed a contract with National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) to install a state-of-the-art Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), reinforcing maritime safety, surveillance and operational efficiency at Port Qasim.
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Gharo – Pakistan’s aquaculture sector marked a significant milestone as the Giant Freshwater Prawn Farmers’ Day & Technical Roadshow, themed “Unlocking Pakistan’s Aquaculture Export Potential through High-Value Species,” was successfully held at Pak Gharo Agri & Livestock Farms (PGA&LF) in Gharo in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) under the leadership of Director General Mr. Athar Khokhar. The event spotlighted new strategies to enhance fisheries exports, promote high-value aquaculture, and strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness in global seafood markets.
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A Chinese firm is set to invest $800 million in Pakistan to implement the Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex (IMIC) project, which includes a comprehensive sea-to-steel initiative at Port Qasim, along with shipbreaking and maintenance facilities. The investment aims to modernize Pakistan’s maritime and industrial infrastructure, reviving Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and the Iron Ore and Coal Berth, which has been abandoned for over 12 years.
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Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), the national flag carrier of Pakistan, has announced the successful induction of a modern MR-II clean product tanker, formerly known as MT. Stavanger Poseidon (DWT 49,999, built in 2020),into its managed fleet. The vessel has been renamed MT. Quetta.
This strategic addition reflects PNSC’s ongoing commitment to fleet expansion, portfolio diversification, and strengthening its presence in the international shipping market. MT. Quetta is a technologically advanced vessel, constructed to meet high standards of safety, operational efficiency, and environmental compliance.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced that Pakistan has secured $3 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to conserve marine biodiversity and accelerate a shift toward sustainable and regenerative fisheries management.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the maritime minister said the project titled “Conserving marine biodiversity by accelerating transition to sustainable and regenerative fisheries management practices”, will be executed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry chaired a high-level review meeting today to accelerate progress on the Sea-to-Steel Initiative at Port Qasim.
The meeting focused on the Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex (IMIC), a flagship initiative aimed at modernizing industrial operations through port infrastructure upgrades, shipbuilding and recycling facilities, and the establishment of an integrated steel mill.
Pakistan and Bangladesh are exploring the launch of a ferry service and the establishment of a direct shipping line to enhance bilateral trade and tourism, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan, in Islamabad. The two officials focused on strengthening maritime cooperation and boosting economic ties between the two countries.
Maritime Security Exercise Sea Guard-26 culminated at Karachi with a debrief session. Vice Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz, Chief of Staff, Pakistan Navy, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
During the debrief, representatives of participating organizations were presented with an analytical review of the conduct of the exercise, encompassing various scenarios executed to validate information-sharing and response mechanisms among stakeholders against maritime sector contingencies.
Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf paid an official visit to Malaysia, underscoring Pakistan Navy’s commitment to strengthening cooperative maritime security and advancing naval diplomacy in the region. During the visit, the Chief of the Naval Staff held high-level engagements with the leadership of the Royal Malaysian Navy to deepen bilateral naval cooperation.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed confidence that the visit of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Islamabad would open new avenues for shared prosperity and strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations. President Tokayev’s visit marked the first official state visit by a Kazakh leader to Pakistan in 23 years, with the last visit occurring in 2003. During the visit, both leaders emphasized elevating relations to a strategic partnership, enhancing trade to a targeted $1 billion, deepening regional connectivity, and expanding cooperation across economic, defence, energy, digital, and people-to-people sectors.
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