Pakistan announces multi-billion upgrade for Gaddani, new Green Ship Yard at Port Qasim

Pakistan will establish its first Green Ship Repair and Recycling Yard at Port Qasim and invest Rs12 billion to modernise the Gaddani Ship Recycling Yard, marking.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the development on Thursday, while speaking at the closing ceremony of the Pakistan International Maritime Exhibition and Conference 2025 (PIMEC), the flagship event of Pakistan Maritime Week, read a statement.

Announcing new initiatives, the minister said Pakistan’s first Green Ship Repair and Recycling Yard will be established at Port Qasim under the “Sea to Steel Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex,” which will also support the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills.

Moreover, a Rs12 billion investment is also underway to modernise the Gaddani Ship Recycling Yard in line with the Hong Kong Convention environmental standards.

The minister highlighted recent progress in the maritime sector, saying the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) fleet has expanded from 10 to 12 ships, with three more expected to arrive within two months.

“Tenders for 12 additional vessels are under process, with plans to expand the fleet to 30 ships by 2026 and 60 within three years,” he said.

The minister informed that the ministry has granted a license to the first-ever private company to operate ferry services.

He said the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy 2025–2035 has been finalised, targeting to double fisheries exports within a year. Whereas a Maritime Education Endowment Fund has been created, the Pakistan Marine Academy will be upgraded into a full-fledged Maritime University to train the next generation of seafarers.

Outlining his long-term vision, Chaudhry said Pakistan’s “Maritime Century (2047–2147)” will rest on five pillars including developing three new deep-sea ports, expanding the national shipping fleet, building AI-enabled Maritime Industrial Complexes for shipbuilding and recycling, producing “Made-in-Pakistan” ships, achieving 100% green digital ports with multimodal connectivity, and leading regional maritime cooperation for peace and shared prosperity.

“The sea is our next frontier for trade, prosperity, energy, food and climate resilience,” he said, adding that by 2047, Pakistan aims to emerge as a global blue economy hub driving sustainable growth across the North Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

Junaid Chaudhry emphasised Pakistan’s strategic location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and East Africa, calling it a natural maritime gateway for the region and added

“Under the prime minister’s guidance, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs is implementing the maritime vision, a $100 billion blue economy plan by Pakistan’s centenary in 2047,” he said.

Pakistan’s future “lies in the sea from Gwadar to the global ocean,” the minister added.