Gwadar Port Set for Maritime Expansion with GCC Ferry Service
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly enhance Gwadar Port’s operational capacity by launching new shipping lines and a direct ferry service to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The announcement, made during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, marks a major step in positioning Gwadar as a central hub in regional maritime trade.
The initiative is aligned with the government’s vision to strengthen regional connectivity, boost trade, and integrate Gwadar into the global shipping network. Located in Balochistan and a cornerstone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Gwadar Port is now fully operational and ready to take on a larger role in facilitating transit trade with Central Asia and the Middle East.
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Chaudhry stressed the urgency of enhancing the port’s commercial activity by connecting it with multiple shipping lines, thus reducing congestion at other ports and enabling faster, more efficient cargo operations. He also highlighted plans for a ferry service between Gwadar and GCC countries, aimed at offering a cost-effective and direct maritime link for both passengers and cargo.
This service is expected to especially benefit expatriate communities and cross-border traders, creating new economic opportunities for the region. The project also promises to generate local employment, attract private sector investment in shipping services, hospitality, and transport, and improve supporting infrastructure in and around Gwadar.
The Ministry is actively engaging with shipping companies, port operators, and maritime authorities to finalise the legal, technical, and logistical aspects of the initiative. Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Minister Chaudhry said the plan will fully harness Gwadar’s strategic potential and support Pakistan’s emerging role in regional logistics and trade.