Major Initiative to Modernize National Shipping Fleet Launched

Karachi: Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has launched a major initiative to expand and modernize the national shipping fleet as part of efforts to strengthen maritime infrastructure and reduce reliance on foreign vessels.

According to Radio Pakistan, chairing the agreements’ signing meeting, the federal minister stated that the initiative is designed not only to cut the sea freight bill and conserve foreign exchange but also to support climate-smart maritime practices by strengthening a cleaner and more efficient domestic fleet.

The minister further announced that Pakistan plans to increase its shipping capacity by six hundred percent over the next three years. This initiative will focus on incorporating greener technologies and energy-efficient vessels into the state-owned fleet, reflecting the nation’s commitment to sustainable development.

In support of this ambitious fleet expansion plan, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Qasim Authority (PQA) have signed separate agreements with the state-run Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), pledging financial support to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative.