Govt announces expansion of Gwadar port, ferry service to GCC to enhance regional maritime connectivity and increase trade flows in the region.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has announced a comprehensive strategy to expand Gwadar Port’s operations, including the introduction of new shipping lines and a ferry service linking Pakistan with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
This initiative was revealed during a high-level meeting in Islamabad chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, according to an official statement.
Chaudhry explained that the plan is part of the government’s broader efforts to improve regional maritime connectivity, enhance trade flows, and establish Gwadar as a prominent hub in the Arabian Sea.
He emphasized the government’s vision of transforming Gwadar into a key transshipment and logistics center, with benefits extending beyond Pakistan to the wider region. As a critical deep-sea port in Balochistan, Gwadar is also central to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which aims to boost regional commerce.
With Gwadar Port now fully operational, Chaudhry stressed the urgency of integrating it into global shipping routes. He instructed relevant departments to take all necessary measures to expand commercial activity at the port and realize its full strategic value.
The minister stated that connecting more shipping lines to Gwadar would help streamline cargo movement, support transit trade with Central Asia and the Middle East, and solidify Pakistan’s role in regional logistics.
He noted that the proposed shipping routes would ease congestion at existing ports and provide quicker, more efficient cargo handling options.
Alongside cargo enhancements, the government is also planning to start a ferry service between Gwadar and GCC nations. This would offer a low-cost maritime transport option for both passengers and goods, benefiting cross-border traders and overseas communities.
Chaudhry highlighted that the ferry service would foster stronger people-to-people connections, promote tourism, and act as a new economic engine for Balochistan.
The initiative is also expected to generate jobs, enhance infrastructure, and encourage private sector investment in areas like maritime services, tourism, and transport.
In parallel, the maritime ministry has begun engaging with shipping companies, regulatory bodies, and port operators to work out the technical, legal, and operational details needed to implement the new shipping lines and ferry service.
Chaudhry reaffirmed the government’s strong resolve to unlock Gwadar’s full strategic potential and establish it as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s maritime economy.
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