Pakistan will soon introduce a direct ferry service between Gwadar and Gulf nations with the objective of increasing regional trade, enhancing passenger movement, and promoting tourism.
The development will increase the connectivity of Pakistan to the Middle East and give a much-needed economic boost to the province of Balochistan.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry made the announcement at a high-level meeting in Islamabad.
He said the ferry service will create jobs, strengthen people-to-people ties, and support industries like hospitality, shipping, and local transport. The government hopes this will also ease pressure on Karachi’s busy ports.
Additionally, officials discussed setting up new shipping lines connected to Gwadar to increase cargo flow and strengthen transit trade with Central Asia and the Middle East.
The aim is to make Gwadar a regional maritime and logistics hub, the minister said.
China and Pakistan developed the Gwadar Port under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), giving it strategic value due to its proximity to key Gulf shipping lanes.
As yet, it has yet to match the commercial importance of Karachi ports. The government aims to rebalance trade and unlock Gwadar’s potential through new ferry and shipping projects, hoping to turn the situation around.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs is coordinating with private shipping companies, port authorities, and lawyers to complete operational details. Safety, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability will be high on the agenda as the project advances.
Pakistan’s National Maritime Policy, which aims to build the country’s blue economy, is also aligned with the ferry service. Officials are of the view that this move will provide permanent advantages to Pakistan’s trade and economic development and tighten regional connections.
