Karachi: Pakistan Maritime Week 2025 kicked off in Karachi today, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to chart the country’s course toward a sustainable and prosperous maritime future.

According to Radio Pakistan, addressing the opening ceremony of the event, Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry unveiled ‘Pakistan’s Maritime Century (2047-2147) roadmap’ to transform the country into a major global maritime hub. He described the initiative as a comprehensive plan to harness Pakistan’s strategic location, coastline, and port infrastructure to drive sea-led economic growth and innovation.

The Minister outlined priorities under this initiative, which include expanding port capacity, modernizing the shipping fleet, developing shipbuilding and recycling facilities, promoting green maritime technology, and investing in human resource development. On the occasion, he announced that the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation will expand its fleet to 30 ships within a year and 60 ships over the next three years to help reduce the country’s 5 billion dollars annual sea freight bill.

The Minister added that work on the Gaddani project worth 12 billion rupees has commenced, which includes upgrading ship recycling facilities along the Balochistan coast. An endowment education fund has also been created to support children of port communities. He noted that currently, Pakistan’s maritime sector contributes 0.8 percent to the national GDP, with an aim to raise it to 4 percent by expanding trade, ports, and ocean-based industries.