Islamabad: Pakistan and Türkiye have embarked on discussions to enhance maritime collaboration, exploring the potential launch of a ferry service and joint ventures in shipbuilding and the shipbreaking industry.

The talks were held between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu. Both parties emphasized the importance of improving maritime connectivity to strengthen economic ties through sustainable initiatives.

Minister Chaudhry highlighted the opportunities at Gwadar Port for blue economy industries, inviting Turkish private sector investors to consider projects in the region. He stated that Pakistan aims to transform Gwadar into a modern maritime hub to facilitate regional trade and boost the national economy.

The discussions also focused on enhancing Pakistan’s technical capacity through maritime cooperation with Türkiye. Chaudhry noted the importance of expanding collaboration beyond traditional sectors to include shipping, logistics, fisheries, and port development.

Minister Uraloglu expressed Türkiye’s interest in strengthening maritime ties with Pakistan. He mentioned that the ferry service proposal would be reviewed by Türkiye’s relevant ministry, citing its potential to enhance tourism and bilateral trade.

A Turkish delegation of shipowners and port service providers is set to visit Pakistan, with a focus on Gwadar Port investment opportunities. Uraloglu appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to modernize port infrastructure and expressed Turkish companies’ interest in engaging in projects.

Chaudhry assured support for the visiting delegation and highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the operational efficiency of Pakistan’s ports. He also discussed prospects in the fisheries sector, suggesting Turkish investment in a value addition and canning plant for tuna fish.

Plans for a maritime conference in Pakistan were also announced, aiming to bring together stakeholders from the maritime, logistics, and fisheries sectors to discuss investment and regional cooperation.

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering Pakistan-Türkiye relations through practical maritime collaboration, expressing optimism about the partnership’s potential for shared economic growth and regional connectivity.