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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday formally launched the construction of a 1,100 TEU container ship for the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) at Karachi Shipyard,&nbsp;a key step toward reducing reliance on foreign shipping and strengthening national maritime capabilities.&nbsp;Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry inaugurated the project at a steel-cutting ceremony. He descrbied the initiative as a major milestone for the country&rsquo;s maritime sector.&nbsp;He said the container vessel would be built entirely using domestic resources. He stated that the project would help save valuable foreign exchange while improving&nbsp;the operational capacity of the PNSC fleet.&nbsp;The maritime affairs&nbsp;minister stated&nbsp;that expanding the national maritime fleet would strengthen the supply chain and support trade activity across the country. He said the shipbuilding project would also generate employment opportunities for skilled workers, contributing to the development of the maritime workforce.&nbsp;Anwar Chaudhry said&nbsp;that Karachi Shipyard wass emerging as a central hub for national maritime development. He stated that shipbuilding and ship repair remained key pillars of Pakistan&rsquo;s maritime policy.&nbsp;The minister said that nearly 95% of Pakistan&rsquo;s trade is conducted through sea routes.

Economy

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry inaugurated the project at a steel-cutting ceremony, describing the initiative as a major milestone for the country’s maritime sector.

Pakistan launches PNSC container ship project at Karachi shipyard

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Maritime Affairs has unveiled a long-term program to expand the country&rsquo;s Blue Economy and position Pakistan as a regional maritime hub by 2047, according to Radio Pakistan.&nbsp;The ministry said the new Maritime @100 initiative lays out a roadmap for &ldquo;development projects worth a hundred billion dollars&rdquo; aimed at strengthening the shipping and fisheries sectors. According to Radio Pakistan, officials said the plan is designed to expand maritime capacity, increase exports and create &ldquo;new economic opportunities.&rdquo;&nbsp;Under the shipping-sector component, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation will add 15 ships to its fleet over the next three years. The ministry said the expanded fleet &ldquo;will result in [a] surge of exports and foreign reserves,&rdquo; Radio Pakistan reported.&nbsp;Officials also announced a series of industrial upgrades, including the establishment of Sea to Steel, Pakistan&rsquo;s first green ship-repair and recycling yard, at Port Qasim. A separate $43 million modernization program is planned for the Gadani Ship Breaking Yard to improve safety and operational standards.&nbsp;In the fisheries sector, the National Fisheries Policy 2025&ndash;35 calls for expanded deep-sea fishing, upgraded facilities and increased seafood exports. The ministry said the broader development program &ldquo;will create substantial investment and employment opportunities in the maritime industry,&rdquo; according to Radio Pakistan.&nbsp;The Ministry of Maritime Affairs said the combined measures underscore Pakistan&rsquo;s long-term strategy to strengthen its maritime footprint and grow sustainable economic activity across the country&rsquo;s coastal and marine sectors.

File Photo - Screengrab of Port Qasim on Nov 5, 2025 (X / Ministry of Maritime Affairs)

The Pakistani Ministry of Maritime Affairs has developed a comprehensive program to strengthen the country’s Blue Economy with support from the Special Investment Facilitation Council, outlining a long-term plan to make Pakistan a regional maritime hub by 2047.

Articles tagged with "Maritime Affairs"

Pakistan launches PNSC container ship project at Karachi shipyard

Pakistan outlines $100 billion maritime plan to build regional hub by 2047