ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has announced the issuance of Pakistan’s inaugural ferry service license to Seekeepers, an international maritime operator, enabling route operations between Pakistan, Iran, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, described this milestone as a historic achievement, highlighting that the new ferry service will facilitate affordable maritime travel for pilgrims and workers across the region, according to an official statement.“Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, we have reached a significant milestone. The Ministry has granted provisional approval for the ferry service license,” the statement noted.
The minister explained that the initial routes will connect Karachi and Gwadar, providing linkages to Iran and GCC countries, with the overarching aim of making maritime travel safer, more comfortable, and cost-effective. Chaudhry emphasized that this initiative is poised to strengthen Pakistan’s maritime economy while promoting regional tourism and trade. He assured that efforts are underway to launch the service at the earliest opportunity.
Previously, the Minister called for urgent reforms in licensing procedures and financial support mechanisms for operators to make sea travel more affordable, especially for pilgrims. He also proposed digitalizing the licensing process, integrating it into the Pakistan Single Window platform, similar to ship registration systems, and reducing the license issuance time from six months to just one month, stating, “There’s no justification for a delay of half a year. We need to cut red tape and act swiftly.”
To encourage private sector involvement, Chaudhry suggested exploring flexible financial arrangements for ferry operators, such as bank guarantees, insurance guarantees, or hybrid models, aiming to support entrepreneurs rather than hinder them.Highlighting the service’s broader potential, he noted that annually, between 700,000 and 1 million Pakistani Zaireen travel to Iran and Iraq. If even 20% of these travelers choose ferries within the first three years, it could mean 140,000 to 200,000 passengers annually, unlocking substantial economic opportunities, he concluded
