Cabinet approves Gwadar-Oman ferry service

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Friday announced that the federal cabinet had approved the launch of a passenger and cargo ferry service between Pakistan and Oman.

Both countries would soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise the ferry link, and an Omani delegation would visit Pakistan soon to finalise the arrangements, Chaudhry said in a statement.

“The initiative follows a high-level meeting in July 2025 between Chaudhry and Oman’s Ambassador Fahad bin Sulaiman bin Khalaf Al Kharusi in Islamabad, where both sides discussed ways to enhance economic and maritime collaboration.“

Back then, Chaudhry said Pakistan stood to earn an estimated $10–15 billion annually through maritime operations linked to a proposed ferry service between Gwadar and Oman.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the minister projected that Gwadar’s annual export revenue was forecast to exceed $850 million, generated primarily by $645 million from value-added fisheries and $200 million to $205 million from the date sector, while regional partners like Oman gain a highly efficient route to access Central Asian economies.

In 2024, Pakistan’s exports to Oman totalled $224 million, and the minister stressed that the new ferry service, alongside upgraded port infrastructure and strengthened bilateral cooperation, could substantially increase this figure.

Pakistan has already issued its first-ever international ferry service license, paving the way for licensed passenger ferry operations between Pakistan and countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council, including Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Iran.

“This licensing framework is expected to provide regulatory clarity and encourage private-sector participation in the ferry operations, boosting maritime trade and connectivity in the region,” read the statement.

Chaudhry also highlighted the role of the Pakistani diaspora in Oman, estimating that approximately 250,000 to 320,000 Pakistanis resided there as of the end of 2024.

He noted that when including all categories of workers, this number could reach around 360,000, depending on definitions of residency and employment.

“Strengthening the ferry link is expected to facilitate travel for these communities, enabling easier personal and business connections between the two countries,” he said.