Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced an ambitious century-long strategy to transform Pakistan into a leading global maritime hub, unveiling the framework titled “Pakistan’s Maritime Century (2047–2147)” at the inauguration of Pakistan Maritime Week 2025.
The plan envisions harnessing Pakistan’s strategic coastline, geographic advantage, and port infrastructure to build a sustainable, innovation-driven blue economy. “This is not just a plan for today, but a commitment to the next hundred years of maritime excellence,” the minister declared.
Outlining the five pillars of the roadmap, Chaudhry said the initiative focuses on expanding port capacity, modernizing the shipping fleet, developing shipbuilding and recycling facilities, promoting green maritime technology, and investing in human resource development.
A key element of the plan involves expanding the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) fleet from its current size to 30 ships within a year and 60 vessels over the next three years. The goal, he noted, is to cut Pakistan’s $5 billion annual sea freight bill and strengthen maritime self-reliance.
The minister also announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art Integrated Maritime Complex to house shipbuilding, recycling, and green technology units. Additionally, Rs 12 billion has been allocated for the Gaddani Project to modernize ship recycling along the Balochistan coast. An endowment education fund has also been created to support children of port communities, ensuring local populations directly benefit from maritime development.
Currently, the maritime sector contributes only 0.8 percent to Pakistan’s GDP — a figure the government aims to raise to 4 percent by expanding trade, ports, and ocean-based industries. Chaudhry added that Pakistan’s ports are operating at 50 percent capacity, with plans to bring them to full utilization before 2047. Work on three new ports will also begin soon to further strengthen maritime infrastructure.
Emphasizing Pakistan’s strategic position at the crossroads of major global trade routes, the minister said the country must “recognize its geography” and leverage it to become a regional maritime power.
Concluding his address in Karachi — a city he described as the birthplace of Pakistan’s founding vision — Chaudhry said, “My goals may seem unrealistic, but I stand in the city of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who created this nation from a dream. If we all work together with unity and purpose, we can turn our maritime vision into reality.”
The address marked the formal opening of Pakistan Maritime Week 2025, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to chart the country’s long-term maritime future.
