ISLAMABAD
The Pakistani cabinet has approved the launch of a passenger and cargo ferry service between Pakistan and Oman, a move aimed at strengthening maritime connectivity and boosting bilateral trade and tourism. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the development, noting that both countries would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the ferry link, and an Omanese delegation will visit Pakistan soon to finalize the arrangements.
said a press release issued here Friday.
The initiative follows a high-level meeting in July 2025 between Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Oman’s Ambassador Fahad bin Sulaiman bin Khalaf Al Kharusi in Islamabad, where both sides discussed ways to enhance economic and maritime collaboration.
Minister Chaudhry emphasized the strategic importance of establishing a direct ferry route from Gwadar to Oman, highlighting its potential to generate significant economic benefits through expanded trade, increased investment inflows, and transit revenue.
He projected that Gwadar’s annual export revenue is forecast to exceed $850 million, generated primarily by $645 million from value-added fisheries and $200 million to $205 million from the date sector, while regional partners like Oman gain a highly efficient route to access Central Asian economies.
In 2024, Pakistan’s exports to Oman totaled $224 million, and the minister stressed that the new ferry service, alongside upgraded port infrastructure and strengthened bilateral cooperation, could substantially increase this figure. The service is expected to facilitate the movement of both passengers and cargo, creating a direct, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional shipping and air transport.
By providing smoother logistics channels, it could also benefit a wide range of sectors including tourism, trade, and supply chain operations, further integrating the regional economy. Pakistan has already issued its first-ever international ferry service license, paving the way for licensed passenger ferry operations between Pakistan and countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council, including Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Iran.
This licensing framework is expected to provide regulatory clarity and encourage private-sector participation in the ferry operations, boosting maritime trade and connectivity in the region.
