Latest news with #MinistryofMaritimeAffairs
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Fisheries, dates exports: Junaid vows to develop Gwadar Port to earn $850m annually
ISLAMABAD: Federal Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Friday, vowed to develop Gwadar Port in such a way to maximise benefit, saying that the development of the port can generate over $850 million annually through value-added exports of fisheries and dates. Chairing a high-level meeting on Gwadar Port operationalisation the minister said that to reap full fruits of the port, the government is committed to ensure sustained investment, infrastructure upgrades, and targeted policy support. 'Balochistan has an estimated annual fish catch potential of around 300,000 tons and with proper value addition, this could generate approximately $645 million each year. However, current production is nearly half of that due to limited fishing capacity, obsolete technology, and regulatory hurdles,' he stated. He pointed out that 34 fish processing units are currently operating in Balochistan, but most require technological upgrades to meet export standards. 'Transforming these units to add value through packaging and processing before exporting is critical for uplifting the sector,' he added. Turning to dates production, the minister stated that Panjgur and Turbat districts together produce over 225,000 tons of dates annually more than half of Pakistan's total. 'With value addition, the sector can generate up to $200–$205 million in revenue each year,' he said. Besides others, the meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and representatives from relevant ministries and organizations including Gwadar Port Authority, Commerce, Industries, and Communication through Zoom, the minister laid out a comprehensive strategy to boost economic activities in Gwadar. The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to utilising local resources and empowering local businesses to operationalise Gwadar Port and stimulate the regional economy. He emphasised that fisheries and dates are the key economic drivers of the region. 'Gwadar has a rich fish catch potential, and we must focus on local value addition to maximise benefits,' he said. The minister pointed out that Balochistan's coastline makes up 76.2 percent of Pakistan's total coastal length, yet its fish production significantly lags behind its actual potential. To support business and connectivity in the region, the minister announced steps to improve air travel. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will increase its weekly flights to Gwadar from one to three. 'Two weekly flights between Gwadar and Karachi and one between Gwadar and Islamabad are under consideration,' he said. Furthermore, the possibility of introducing a chartered flight mechanism to facilitate travel for businesspersons and investors is also under consideration, the minister added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan eyes $850mn annual revenue from Gwadar Port via fisheries, dates
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, on Friday said that with consistent investment, strategic policymaking, and improved infrastructure, Gwadar Port has the potential to generate over $850 million annually through value-added fisheries and date exports. Chairing a high-level meeting on Gwadar Port operationalisation attended by officials from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and representatives from relevant ministries and organisations, including Gwadar Port Authority, Commerce, Industries, and Communication through Zoom, the minister laid out a comprehensive strategy to boost economic activities in Gwadar, read a statement. Gwadar Port is a deep-sea port located in Gwadar, a coastal city in Balochistan. It holds strategic and economic significance for being a vital part of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. During the meeting, Junaid emphasised that fisheries and dates are the key economic drivers of the region. ' Poor connectivity, security issues hinder Gwadar Port usage: PDP Gwadar has a rich fish catch potential, and we must focus on local value addition to maximise benefits,' he said. He pointed out that 34 fish processing units are currently operating in Balochistan, but most require technological upgrades to meet export standards. 'Transforming these units to add value through packaging and processing before exporting is critical for uplifting the sector,' he added. The minister pointed out that Balochistan's coastline makes up 76.2% of Pakistan's total coastal length, yet its fish production significantly lags behind its actual potential. 'Balochistan has an estimated annual fish catch potential of around 300,000 tons. With proper value addition, this could generate approximately $645 million each year. However, current production is nearly half of that due to limited fishing capacity, obsolete technology, and regulatory hurdles,' he shared. Stakeholders told to promote Gwadar trade routes Turning to dates production, the minister stated that Panjgur and Turbat (Kech) districts together produce over 225,000 tons of dates annually—more than half of Pakistan's total. 'With value addition, the sector can generate up to $200–$205 million in revenue each year,' he said. To support business and connectivity in the region, the minister announced steps to improve air travel. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will increase its weekly flights to Gwadar from one to three, he said. 'Two weekly flights between Gwadar and Karachi and one between Gwadar and Islamabad are under consideration.' Furthermore, the possibility of introducing a chartered flight mechanism to facilitate travel for businesspersons and investors is also under consideration, the minister added.
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Pak crew stranded: LPG vessel seized in Mozambique over payment row
KARACHI: LPG cargo vessel, Gas Falcon, has been seized at Beira Port in Mozambique due to unresolved payment disputes, leaving the crew stranded in deteriorating conditions and sparking urgent humanitarian concerns. The vessel, reportedly held by Italian authorities, is currently without food, water, fuel, or basic life support systems. The ship's captain, Muhammad Aslam, a Pakistani national, raised an emergency Mayday alert after power and air-conditioning systems onboard failed. 'The diesel, fresh water, and cooling systems are all exhausted,' Captain Aslam stated. 'Emergency lights will go out soon, and mobile devices will also shut down due to lack of power.' It is reported that in addition to the Pakistani captain, the first officer and chef are also Pakistani. The remaining crew includes over 10 Indonesian nationals also. In a conversation with the media, Captain Aslam confirmed that Indian maritime authorities had successfully rescued their citizens. However, Pakistani personnel remain aboard with no relief in sight. 'We contacted Ports and Shipping authorities, but haven't received any response yet,' he said. Responding to media reports, DG Aaliya Shahid later claimed that contact had been established with the Pakistani crew and that efforts were underway in coordination with Mozambican authorities to secure their release. 'We are in communication with the Mozambique government, and the crew will be freed soon,' she stated. Back onboard, according to Captain Aslam, the situation is worsening by the every hour passes. Refrigerators storing perishable items, including vegetables and meat, have stopped functioning. Clean drinking water is unavailable, and the temperature onboard is rising due to the non-operational air conditioning system. The Gas Falcon was reportedly detained by Italian port agents over non-payment of port dues, although the exact amount and nature of the dispute have not been publicly disclosed. The ship is operated under a foreign flag, and its detention has triggered a series of legal and diplomatic complexities. According to data from the Marine Traffic website, the Gas Falcon (IMO: 9040883) was last reported in East African waters of Indian Ocean nearly 13 days ago. The vessel is an LPG tanker sailing under the flag of Gabon, with a length of 113.22 meters and a beam (width) of 15.9 meters. However, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has taken notice of the incident involving a foreign vessel detained in Mozambique, which reportedly has Pakistani crew members on board. The Minister directed immediate assistance for the Pakistanis stranded on the ship and emphasized providing relief on humanitarian grounds. According to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the vessel currently holds three Pakistani and nine Indonesian crew members. The Ministry remains in constant contact with the Director General Ports and Shipping, Captain Aslam, who is actively coordinating with Mozambican authorities. The DG Ports and Shipping is liaising with the Mozambican government to ensure all necessary formalities are completed promptly. The Ministry has also sought support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan to ensure the early resolution of the matter and the safe return of the affected individuals. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM seeks private investment in shipping sector
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to devise a comprehensive plan to attract private investment in the country's shipping sector, as part of broader efforts to modernise transport infrastructure and reduce reliance on foreign freight services. The prime minister while chairing a high-level review meeting concerning reforms in the shipping industry and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), called for restructuring the national carrier along corporate lines. He emphasised the need to strengthen maritime capabilities in order to capitalise on the country's strategic location and increase foreign exchange earnings. 'Improvements in the railway and shipping sectors are of critical importance for transit trade,' he said. 'Transporting goods via Pakistani shipping lines presents a rare opportunity to earn valuable foreign exchange.' Highlighting the emerging Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan railway corridor, Sharif described it as a 'new era of regional trade,' positioning Pakistan's ports as a vital gateway for Central Asian exports to the world. He further directed the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the PNSC to present a sustainable business model and comprehensive reform plan for the sector, underlining the importance of expanding the national fleet to curb the country's heavy spending on foreign freight charges. Among those present at the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal Cheema and Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, as well as senior government officials. In a separate development, the prime minister welcomed the country's current account surplus, which reached $2.1 billion in the fiscal year 2024–2025 – the highest in 22 years. He attributed the improvement to a significant rise in remittances and exports, alongside robust government measures that have pushed foreign exchange reserves beyond $19 billion. 'The improving financial and economic indicators show that the country's economy is on the path of stability,' Sharif said. 'The government is taking priority steps to further improve the business and investor-friendly environment in the country.' He commended his economic team for their contributions to stabilising the economy. Separately, in a message posted on X, the prime minister expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of hands-on agricultural training in China for around 300 Pakistani graduates. The programme, held in Shaanxi province of China, covered key areas such as water-saving irrigation, seed production, animal husbandry, and prevention of post-harvest losses. 'My special thanks to the Chinese leadership, the Shaanxi Government, and the two universities involved,' Sharif said. He also praised the Ministry of National Food Security, the Higher Education Commission, and the Pakistan's Embassy in Beijing for facilitating the initiative. The graduates are part of a 1,000-strong cohort announced by the prime minister during his visit to China in June 2024, aimed at enhancing agricultural skills and technology transfer. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz orders expansion of national shipping fleet
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to increase the number of ships in the national maritime fleet to reduce freight-related forex outflows. PM Shehbaz made these remarks while chairing a review meeting on reforms in Pakistan's shipping sector and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC). The prime minister said a plan should be formulated to encourage private sector investment in Pakistan's shipping sector. 'Measures should be taken to restructure the PNSC along corporate lines,' he added. During the meeting, the prime minister remarked that the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan railway line is set to mark the beginning of a new era of trade in the region. PM orders comprehensive overhaul of PNSC 'Goods from Central Asia will be transported across the globe via Pakistani ports.' PM Shehbaz stated that the improvement of the railway and shipping sectors is of vital importance for transit trade. The transportation of cargo through Pakistani shipping lines presents a unique opportunity for the country to earn valuable foreign exchange, he said. He also instructed the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the PNSC to undertake comprehensive reforms and present a sustainable business model for the sector. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and other senior officials concerned.
