The Government of Pakistan has outlined a century-scale maritime vision aimed at transforming the nation into a global maritime hub through an expansive development program titled Pakistan’s Maritime Century (2047–2147). The announcement was made during the launch of Pakistan Maritime Week 2025, marking the beginning of a long-term strategy designed to fully leverage the country’s coastline, shipping corridors, and ocean-based resources for sustainable economic growth.
Central to the framework is the planned establishment of an Integrated Maritime Complex, positioned to serve as a future anchor of Pakistan’s maritime industrial expansion. The complex will feature facilities for shipbuilding, ship recycling, and environmentally advanced marine technologies, forming a cornerstone for industrial innovation and green transition across the maritime sector. The government describes this hub as a strategic step toward positioning Pakistan as a competitive participant in global maritime manufacturing and logistics.
As part of the broader plan, the government is also advancing a Rs12 billion modernization program for the historic Gaddani ship recycling zone along the Balochistan coastline. The project aims to bring the facility in line with international operational and environmental standards, enhance workforce safety, and increase commercial efficiency. According to officials, this upgrade will enable Pakistan to reclaim competitiveness in the global ship-breaking market, while creating skilled employment opportunities and supporting coastal region development.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry highlighted the roadmap’s five foundational pillars: expansion of port capacity, modernization of the national shipping fleet, development of shipbuilding and recycling industries, acceleration of green maritime technology, and investment in maritime human capital. He emphasized that these strategic elements collectively aim to strengthen Pakistan’s role in global logistics, trade facilitation, and blue-economy innovation.
A key plank of the reform agenda includes a major scale-up of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation’s (PNSC) fleet, with plans to operate 30 vessels within one year and expand to 60 ships within three years. This expansion is expected to significantly reduce Pakistan’s annual freight expenses, currently estimated at around $5 billion, and enhance national shipping autonomy.
In addition to industrial and fleet expansion, the government plans to invest in education and workforce development through an endowment fund dedicated to children from port communities, ensuring direct socioeconomic uplift for populations connected to maritime operations.
The Minister underscored Pakistan’s crucial geographic advantage at the crossroads of major trade routes and projected that the maritime sector’s GDP contribution, currently around 0.8 percent, will rise to 4 percent by 2047. He also indicated that Pakistan’s existing ports, presently operating at approximately half capacity, are targeted to reach full efficiency well before 2047, supported by plans for three additional ports to accommodate expanding trade volumes and maritime services.
Through this long-range initiative, Pakistan seeks to lay the groundwork for diversified maritime infrastructure, a modern shipping fleet, advanced coastal industries, and regional leadership in blue-economy activities, positioning the nation for sustained economic and strategic relevance over the next century.
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