Govt charts 100-Year maritime roadmap with new coastal complex

November 03, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan government has unveiled a century-long roadmap to transform itself into a major global maritime hub under an ambitious framework titled “Pakistan’s Maritime Century (2047–2147)”, which includes the establishment of a state-of-the-art Integrated Maritime Complex and a  Rs12 billion upgrade of Gaddani’s ship recycling facilities along the Balochistan coast.

The long-term vision during the launch of Pakistan Maritime Week 2025, aims to harness the country’s coastline, ports, and sea-based resources to drive sustainable economic growth and position Pakistan as a leading player in the global blue economy, said a press release issued.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the initiative is built on five pillars expanding port capacity, modernizing the national shipping fleet, developing shipbuilding and recycling facilities, promoting green maritime technology, and investing in human resource development.

The Integrated Maritime Complex will house shipbuilding, recycling, and green technology units, laying the foundation for Pakistan’s industrial and environmental transformation in the maritime domain.

 The Gaddani project, already underway with an investment of Rs12bn, will modernize ship recycling facilities along the coast, while an endowment education fund will support children from port communities to ensure they benefit directly from the sector’s growth.

Under the same vision, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) will expand its fleet to 30 ships within a year and 60 ships over the next three years to cut the country’s $5bn annual sea freight bill and achieve self-sufficiency in maritime logistics.

Chaudhry emphasized Pakistan’s strategic location at the crossroads of global trade routes, noting that the maritime sector’s current 0.8% contribution to GDP will be raised to 4% by 2047 through expanded trade, port development, and ocean-based industries.

He also shared that Pakistan’s ports currently operating at 50% capacity will reach full operational efficiency before 2047, with plans to construct three new ports to further strengthen maritime infrastructure.

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