ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is set to expand its cargo fleet to 34 vessels over the next three years, aiming to boost annual freight earnings to \$700 million. The initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to modernise Pakistan’s maritime and logistics sectors and position the country as a regional shipping hub.
The announcement came during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. Officials revealed that PNSC currently handles 11% of the country’s cargo by volume and 4% by value. The goal is to raise this to 52% by volume and 43% by value—excluding containerised cargo—within three years.
A major focus of the strategy is the phased renewal and expansion of PNSC’s ageing fleet to align with international maritime standards, particularly the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) regulations on carbon emissions and ballast water management. The green fleet initiative aims to enhance cargo capacity, fuel efficiency, and environmental compliance.
To reduce reliance on foreign shipbuilders, the government plans to boost collaboration between PNSC, Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, and local industries for the indigenous construction of vessels. This is expected to generate skilled employment, support domestic supply chains, and revive the shipbuilding sector.
Funding for the modernisation will be sourced through public-private partnerships, maritime leasing models, and access to international green shipping finance. The minister also emphasised the need for digital transformation to improve efficiency and global competitiveness in the maritime domain.
Story by Kalbe Ali
