New Pakistan–Türkiye Ferry Service and Gwadar Investments on Horizon
Pakistan and Türkiye have charted a new course for deeper maritime collaboration, with both countries exploring initiatives such as a bilateral ferry service, joint shipbuilding ventures, and strategic investments in Gwadar Port and its allied industries.
The development came during a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, aimed at enhancing maritime connectivity and fostering sustainable regional trade.
Minister Uraloglu expressed strong interest in launching a Pakistan–Türkiye ferry service, noting that the proposal would soon be reviewed by Turkish authorities. He highlighted that the project could significantly strengthen tourism, trade, and cultural exchange by offering an affordable and efficient sea transport option.
In addition, Uraloglu announced that a delegation of Turkish shipowners and port operators would soon visit Pakistan—particularly Gwadar—to evaluate potential investment opportunities. He praised Pakistan’s port modernization efforts, emphasizing that Turkish companies were eager to collaborate in shipbuilding, logistics, and port management ventures.
Minister Chaudhry welcomed the initiative, assuring full facilitation for Turkish investors and reaffirming Pakistan’s vision of transforming Gwadar into a regional maritime and logistics hub. He underlined the government’s commitment to expanding the blue economy and building partnerships that boost technical expertise and industrial development.
Highlighting Pakistan’s seafood potential, Chaudhry noted the country’s 25,000-ton tuna fish quota and encouraged Turkish investors to consider setting up value-added seafood processing and canning facilities to capture export opportunities in global markets.
Looking ahead, Pakistan’s maritime ministry plans to organize a major maritime conference within the next three months, inviting local and international stakeholders from the maritime, logistics, and fisheries sectors to explore new investment pathways and regional cooperation.
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Pakistan–Türkiye maritime relations through practical collaboration, viewing the partnership as a step toward shared prosperity, regional connectivity, and sustainable economic growth.