ISLAMABAD – A key meeting at International Maritime Organization sets stage for a historic shift in regional trade. Muslim brother nations Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are stepping up maritime cooperation after a high-level meeting at International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly in London.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry met with Saudi Transport Minister Saleh Al Jasser, where both nations pledged to strengthen ties across shipping, port development, maritime logistics, and technical training.
The ministers reviewed existing collaborations and explored bold new joint ventures in line with Pakistan’s ambitious Maritime Vision 2047, an extensive roadmap designed to modernize ports, expand shipping capacity, and attract foreign investment to Pakistan’s maritime sector.
Chaudhry unveiled three game-changing initiatives, including potential partnership between Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and Saudi Arabia’s Albehri Shipping Line, enhanced business-to-business cooperation among maritime firms from both countries, and a proposed sister-port agreement between Karachi Port Trust and Jeddah Islamic Port to boost trade and technical exchange.
Saudi delegation responded positively, expressing readiness to advance talks and sharing a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to institutionalize long-term cooperation and create a structured framework for sustained collaboration.
This landmark engagement signals new era of maritime partnership, promising to redefine trade, logistics, and economic ties across the region.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share longstanding and strategic maritime relationship, rooted in defense, trade, and regional security cooperation. The naval collaboration includes joint exercises, training of Saudi officers by Pakistan, and reciprocal port visits, which enhance interoperability and strengthen diplomatic ties.
Pakistan’s port cities Karachi and Gwadar are crucial for Saudi trade and energy shipments, and there have been discussions about Saudi investment in Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure. Both countries also cooperate on securing sea lanes, counter-piracy operations, and broader regional security issues.
