Pakistan, Malaysia agree on maritime training MoU

November 25, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan and Malaysia are exploring a new framework to expand maritime training and deepen port-sector collaboration, following a meeting on Tuesday.

The initiative includes plans for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance seafarer training, facilitate marine cadet exchanges, and promote operational cooperation on trade routes, said a press release issued.

Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Datuk Hasbi bin Habibollah, met Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, on the sidelines of maritime engagements in the United Kingdom.

During the discussion, both sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and explored new avenues to strengthen bilateral collaboration in the maritime sector.

Junaid Chaudhry proposed signing an MoU that would allow Pakistan to send its marine cadets to Malaysian academies, while Malaysia would send its cadets to Pakistan for specialized training programs.

“This exchange will contribute to the professional development of young seafarers in both countries and strengthen long-term cooperation in the maritime sector,” the minister said.

The minister also offered Malaysia access to Pakistan’s expertise in digital port solutions, including the Pakistan Single Window platform now fully operational at Karachi Port and Port Qasim.

Islamabad has been promoting its digital-trade infrastructure as a model for reducing cargo-clearance times, improving transparency, and enhancing trade facilitation.

In addition to training and digitalisation, Chaudhry pushed for deeper operational cooperation on trade routes, proposing direct feeder shipping lines between Pakistan and Malaysia, with onward connectivity to Indonesia.

He said the links could boost Pakistan’s rice exports to Southeast Asia and streamline edible oil imports from Malaysia and Indonesia, aligning with Pakistan’s strategy to strengthen maritime connectivity with ASEAN economies.

For Malaysia, the initiative presents an opportunity to broaden its maritime training network and enhance regional logistics integration as part of its transport-sector modernisation agenda.

Both sides agreed to hold further technical consultations in the coming weeks to finalise the MoU, define training modules, and establish mechanisms for implementing the cadet-exchange programme.

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