PNSC launches construction of 1,100-TEU container ship

January 08, 2026 (MLN):  The construction of a new 1,100 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container ship for the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) has officially begun which marks a significant step toward bolstering Pakistan’s maritime capabilities and reducing dependence on international shipping operators.

The project was formally launched during a steel-cutting ceremony at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW), inaugurated by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, according to a press release issued.

Officials from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, PNSC, and KSEW attended the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, the minister termed the initiative a major strategic development for the national maritime industry, noting that it demonstrates the government’s focus on reviving the shipping and shipbuilding sectors in line with broader economic objectives.

The vessel is being built locally using indigenous expertise and resources, reflecting the expanding technical capacity of Pakistan’s shipbuilding industry.

Constructing the ship domestically is expected to strengthen maritime infrastructure and lessen reliance on foreign shipping lines.

According to the minister, the addition of the container vessel to PNSC’s fleet will help save valuable foreign exchange by lowering freight payments to overseas carriers while improving the corporation’s ability to facilitate the country’s import and export trade.

He highlighted that nearly 95% of Pakistan’s trade is carried by sea, underscoring the importance of a robust maritime sector for economic resilience and growth. Shipping and ship repair, he added, remain central pillars of the National Maritime Policy.

The project is also anticipated to generate jobs for skilled and semi-skilled workers and promote industrial development and technology transfer at Karachi Shipyard.

Once completed, the new ship is expected to enhance PNSC’s operational reach and competitiveness, providing greater support to Pakistan’s trade logistics amid ongoing global supply chain uncertainties.

The minister reiterated the government’s resolve to continue investing in shipping and shipbuilding to reduce logistics costs, improve trade efficiency, and advance the country’s blue economy.

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