The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) has been granted a licence on 30th June by the Ministry of Ports and Shipping to launch its own ferry service.
Distance between Karachi to Gwadar is approximately 629.6 km) via Makran Coastal Highway and 344 nautical mile by sea route along seashore.
Sources in the Shipping Ministry told The Nation that the PNSC has planned to launch a ferry service from Karachi to Pasni and Gwadar which would be extended later to Iran’s Chahbhar port. The government has already waived off port charges for the next 14 years to make the service competitive.
PNSC plans also include the launching of a similar service from Karachi to the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) and economically viable ferry services to other islands to promote commercial and tourism activities.
The PNSC also plans to launch ferry services to the Gulf countries as well as special Hajj and Umrah services to and from Saudi Arabia.
PNSC also plans to enter into new ventures with upcoming refineries. Under the CPEC, many coal-fired plants are expected to become operational during the next two years. PNSC is aiming to venture for the transportation of the coal, which will be imported from foreign countries through Corporation’s own bulk carriers.
The Arabian Sea is located south of Pakistan with a coastline of 1,046-kilometres. Pakistan's Indus River drains out in the Arabian Sea. The Arabian Sea also serves as an important trade route between Pakistan and other countries. Longest Coastline Of Pakistan is Balochistan coastline which is 771 kms long. The coastal areas of Pakistan are in the province of Sindh and Balochistan. These coastal areas are on the shore of Arabian Sea and it connects Pakistan with other countries of the world through a sea route. Gawadar and Karachi are two prominent ports on these coastal areas of Pakistan.