After acquiring a controlling stake in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), prominent businessman Arif Habib has turned his attention to Pakistan’s largely untapped blue economy, signaling interest in the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC). The move points to a growing focus on the country’s maritime sector, which remains underdeveloped despite its strategic coastline and significant commercial potential.
Speaking to journalists in Karachi, Arif Habib disclosed that the newly appointed management of PNSC had invited him for discussions regarding the corporation’s future direction. While no formal commitment has been announced, the interaction suggests potential private-sector interest in the state-owned shipping enterprise at a time when the federal government is actively pursuing reforms to revive and expand the national shipping fleet.
The government has recently finalized a plan to strengthen PNSC as part of broader efforts to reduce Pakistan’s reliance on foreign shipping lines. A key component of this strategy includes bringing the National Logistics Cell (NLC) into the shipping business, with the objective of improving coordination across logistics, shipping, and freight handling. The initiative is aimed at cutting the country’s heavy foreign exchange outflows linked to international freight charges and building domestic capacity in maritime transport.
Pakistan’s maritime sector remains significantly underutilized despite estimates suggesting a potential of more than $100 billion in sustainable commercial ocean resource usage. At present, the sector contributes less than 0.5% to national GDP, highlighting the scale of unrealized opportunities. Analysts believe that strategic investment in shipping, ports, and shipbuilding could transform the sector into a major driver of economic growth, employment, and foreign exchange savings.
In line with this vision, reports indicate that PNSC plans to expand its fleet from the current 10 vessels to 54 by 2030. The expansion is designed to capture a larger share of the estimated $6 billion Pakistan pays annually in foreign freight charges to international shipping companies. Currently, PNSC handles only around 11% of Pakistan’s commercial cargo, with nearly 90% of imports and exports transported by foreign vessels. Increasing the national carrier’s capacity is seen as critical to retaining freight revenues within the country.
However, the expansion drive faces multiple challenges. A significant portion of PNSC’s existing fleet is nearing the end of its operational life and is expected to become economically unviable beyond 2030. This creates urgency for fleet renewal while also increasing capital requirements. At the same time, new environmental regulations introduced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) require shipping operators to reduce carbon emissions, adding compliance costs and technological complexity to fleet expansion plans.
Despite these challenges, steps have already been taken to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capacity. PNSC recently launched the construction of a new 1,100 TEU container vessel at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW). The project is being executed using local resources and expertise, marking a significant push towards self-reliance in shipbuilding and reducing dependence on foreign yards.
Addressing the steel-cutting ceremony for the vessel, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry described the project as a milestone for Pakistan’s maritime sector. He emphasized that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to reviving the national shipping line and revitalizing the shipbuilding industry, which is expected to play a key role in future fleet expansion.
Arif Habib’s interest in PNSC comes at a time when public-private collaboration is increasingly being viewed as essential for unlocking the potential of Pakistan’s blue economy. With rising trade volumes, strategic geographic positioning, and growing awareness of maritime opportunities, stakeholders believe that sustained investment and governance reforms could reposition Pakistan as a competitive regional maritime player.
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