Pakistan Proposes Major Maritime Partnerships to Saudi Arabia at IMO Assembly in London -

PAKISTAN

Pakistan has put forward a set of strategic maritime investment proposals to Saudi Arabia during a bilateral meeting held at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to enhancing maritime cooperation and regional connectivity.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Saudi Minister of Transport Saleh Al Jasser led the discussions at the IMO venue, focusing on expanding collaboration in shipping, port development, maritime logistics, and seafarer training. Both sides highlighted the increasing importance of resilient supply chains and modern port infrastructure in a rapidly evolving global trade environment.

The meeting reviewed existing cooperation frameworks and identified fresh opportunities aligned with Pakistan’s Maritime Vision 2047, the country’s long-term strategy to modernize ports, expand shipping capacity, and attract foreign investment into the maritime sector.

During the talks, Minister Junaid Chaudhry presented three key investment proposals to the Saudi delegation:

A strategic partnership between Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) and Saudi Arabia’s Albehri shipping line, aimed at boosting fleet capacity and increasing bilateral cargo movement.
Enhanced business-to-business engagement between maritime companies from both countries to drive collaboration in port services, logistics, and shipping operations.
A proposed sister-port agreement between Karachi Port Trust and Jeddah Islamic Port, intended to facilitate technical cooperation, promote bilateral trade, and strengthen regional maritime linkages.

The Saudi side welcomed Pakistan’s proposals and expressed willingness to proceed further, offering to share a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a structured framework for long-term maritime cooperation.

Officials emphasized that deepening Pakistan–Saudi Arabia maritime ties will support regional trade connectivity, enhance supply chain resilience, and unlock new investment opportunities across the Red Sea–Arabian Sea corridor. – ER News Desk

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