5 days ago
Oman-Pakistan ferry to ‘materialise soon'
Muscat – A long-discussed maritime ferry link between Oman and Pakistan is moving closer to reality, according to senior officials from both countries.
At a recent high-level meeting held in Islamabad, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, and H E Fahad bin Sulaiman al Kharusi, Oman's Ambassador to Pakistan, reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral maritime cooperation. Discussions focused on launching a direct ferry service, expanding trade and sharing maritime expertise.
Speaking to Muscat Daily , H E Naveed Bokhari, Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman, confirmed that the ferry proposal has now reached an advanced stage. 'Oman and Pakistan have shared a maritime bond for centuries and it is only natural to establish this connection. This route will benefit both trade and people-to-people ties,' he said. 'This time, the matter is being taken seriously at the ministerial level and is expected to materialise soon.'
Pakistan's exports to Oman via ports stood at around US$224mn in 2024. Chaudhry emphasised the need to significantly scale up this figure, proposing joint infrastructure development and enhanced maritime logistics. He highlighted Gwadar Port as a potential hub for the ferry service, projecting trade and transit revenues of US$10bn–15bn annually.
The proposed ferry route is expected to improve regional connectivity and create new economic corridors between Oman and South and Central Asia. Officials also see potential for increased tourism and greater mobility for communities with familial ties across the Arabian Sea.
