ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has set up a high-level, multi-agency committee to identify potential sites for new deep-sea ports along Pakistan’s coastline. This initiative is part of the “Hundred Years Vision 2047–2147,” outlined by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry during the National Maritime Week in Karachi earlier this month.
Chaudhry announced that he would personally attend the committee’s first meeting next week, marking the beginning of efforts to develop Port 1, Port 2, and Port 3 at strategic locations along Pakistan’s coast. The committee, which will meet bi-weekly, is tasked with submitting a comprehensive feasibility report within three months. This report will include technical findings, hydrographic maps, satellite data, and investment recommendations.
The 12-member committee includes representatives from key agencies such as the Port Qasim Authority (PQA), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and the Surveyor General of Pakistan, among others. It will review relevant studies, satellite imagery, and hydrographic surveys to identify and evaluate potential sites for deep-sea ports, shipyards, and energy hubs.
Key responsibilities include assessing hydrographic and oceanographic conditions, land availability, environmental sensitivity, and security parameters. The committee will also analyze infrastructure needs such as road, rail, and pipeline networks, and evaluate the feasibility of each site in terms of industrial linkages and logistics.
Chaudhry noted that the current ports are nearing capacity, with Port Qasim operating at 65%, Karachi Port Trust at 52%, and Gwadar Port at only 5-10%. Projections suggest these ports could reach full capacity between 2035 and 2045, driven by industrial growth and increased shipping volumes. He emphasized that to avoid congestion, Pakistan must establish three to four new deep-sea ports to accommodate rising trade from Afghanistan, Central Asia, and other regions.
