Govt To Identify Sites for New Deep Sea Ports

Maritime minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has formed committee to identify sites for new deep-sea ports

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has constituted a high-level, multi-agency committee to identify potential sites for the establishment of new deep-sea ports along Pakistan’s extensive coastline, a move aimed at preparing the country for the next century of maritime expansion and economic transformation.

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In a statement issued on Thursday, the minister said the initiative forms part of his “Hundred Years Vision 2047–2147,” unveiled during the inauguration of National Maritime Week in Karachi earlier this month.

He announced that he would personally attend the first meeting of the 12-member committee scheduled for next week, marking the beginning of efforts to materialize his long-term vision of developing Port 1, Port 2, and Port 3 at strategic coastal locations.

To expedite the process, the committee will meet fortnightly and is tasked with submitting a comprehensive feasibility report including technical findings, hydrographic maps, satellite data, and investment recommendations to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs within three months.

Pakistan’s coastline spans over 1,024 kilometers from Sir Creek in Sindh to Jiwani in Balochistan, encompassing an Exclusive Economic Zone of approximately 240,000 square kilometers and a continental shelf of nearly 50,000 square kilometers. With the country’s GDP projected to reach $1 trillion dollars between 2030 and 2035, maritime trade and associated industries are expected to expand dramatically.

The minister noted that the Port Qasim Authority currently operates at about 65 percent capacity, Karachi Port Trust at 52 percent, and Gwadar Port between 5 and 10 percent. Projections indicate that all three ports could reach full operational capacity between 2035 and 2045 due to growing industrial activity, regional transit trade, and increased shipping volumes.

He warned that the anticipated surge in cargo movement particularly from Afghanistan, the Central Asian Republics, and potential transshipment traffic from the Gulf and East Africa could lead to serious congestion at existing ports. The rapid coastal urbanization, tourism development, and expansion of private housing societies along the seafront further complicate the availability of suitable land for new maritime infrastructure.

To address these challenges, the minister envisioned establishing three to four new deep-sea ports equipped with modern cargo handling, green energy integration, and digital port management systems under the Hundred Years Vision.

The initiative aims to align Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure with its expanding industrial and trade requirements, strengthen regional connectivity through CPEC and Blue Economy corridors, and position the country as a pivotal maritime hub in the Indian Ocean region over the next century.

The committee comprises representatives from the Port Qasim Authority (PQA), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Surveyor General of Pakistan, Hydroprapher of Pakistan, and the governments of Sindh and Balochistan.

Its responsibilities include collecting and reviewing all relevant empirical studies, satellite imagery, and hydrographic surveys to identify and evaluate potential sites along the coastline for new deep-sea ports, port cities, shipyards, and energy hubs.

The committee will analyze hydrographic, oceanographic, and environmental conditions to assess the feasibility of each proposed location. It will also examine connectivity requirements such as road, rail, and pipeline networks, and assess industrial linkages and logistics corridors to ensure long-term sustainability.

Additionally, the body will assess land availability, environmental sensitivity, security parameters, and proximity to major trade routes, recommending site dimensions, indicative layouts, and investment models for shortlisted locations. It will propose a phased development roadmap and establish a national framework for prioritizing new port projects.

Coordination with provincial governments and relevant federal agencies will form an essential part of the committee’s mandate to ensure a unified national approach to maritime expansion and coastal management, the statement added.

“The next century belongs to the oceans,” Junaid Anwar Chaudhry remarked. “Pakistan must plan today for the ports, trade routes, and maritime industries of tomorrow.”