ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – In a significant step to modernise its maritime sector, Pakistan has signed a landmark agreement with Chinese shipping giant Shandong Xinxu Group, aimed at boosting bilateral collaboration in shipping, logistics, and fleet expansion.
The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) inked the MoU to enhance cooperation in areas including vessel acquisition, leasing, and crew operations. The Chinese firm is expected to inject both capital and vessels into Pakistan’s fleet operations, helping reduce logistics costs and modernise infrastructure.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry hailed the deal as a strategic leap forward, aligning Pakistan’s shipping practices with international standards and creating opportunities for long-term economic growth.
The agreement follows high-level maritime dialogues between Pakistan and China earlier this year and is expected to generate up to $700 million in freight earnings over the next three years. PNSC’s fleet is projected to expand to 34 vessels, supported by cutting-edge technologies including AI-driven logistics and drone port monitoring systems.
This partnership underscores the growing maritime dimension of the China-Pakistan strategic alliance, reinforcing Pakistan’s ambition to become a regional trade and shipping hub.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.