Pakistan's maritime sector set for major revamp under PM’s reform task force

Karachi (Web Desk): Pakistan is undertaking a broad effort to strengthen its maritime industry and build greater domestic capacity in shipbuilding, ship recycling and fisheries under the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Maritime Reforms.

A significant step has been taken in Karachi, where commercial shipyard construction has resumed for the first time since the 1980s, signaling renewed government attention to the country’s shipbuilding capabilities.

The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is also pursuing plans to increase its fleet to 54 vessels.

The expansion is intended to encourage the use of Pakistani shipping services for carrying cargo within the country and reduce dependence on foreign carriers.

The National Logistics Cell (NLC) has meanwhile entered the shipping business, with the move expected to speed up efforts to develop Pakistan’s own resources and infrastructure for transporting national cargo.

Relative institutions, including the NLC, are working on measures aimed at strengthening several areas of the maritime economy, particularly shipping, ship construction, ship recycling and fisheries.

Alongside these initiatives, authorities have developed a five-year plan for the fisheries and aquaculture industries.

The strategy seeks to substantially improve the earnings and economic prospects of farmers, fishermen and communities living in coastal regions.