Pakistan has launched its first-ever international ferry service, connecting Karachi and Gwadar to Iran and GCC countries, marking a major milestone in the country’s maritime and economic development. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has granted the inaugural international ferry license to Sea Keepers Private Limited, enabling direct passenger routes to nations including Iran, the UAE, and Oman.
The decision was finalized in a high-level session of the inter-ministerial Licensing Committee, which included representatives from the ministries of Maritime Affairs, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Interior, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), and relevant port authorities.
Federal Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry described the development as a historic step aligned with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of expanding Pakistan’s blue economy and boosting regional integration through enhanced sea connectivity. The move is expected to benefit multiple traveler groups, particularly Pakistani expatriates, religious pilgrims visiting Iran and Iraq, and tourists heading to Gulf nations. It also offers a cost-effective alternative to expensive air travel, especially for low-income travelers and the diaspora.
Initially, the ferry service will operate from Karachi and Gwadar using modern vessels equipped for safe and comfortable journeys. Officials project that hundreds of thousands of passengers could eventually use the service annually, enhancing people-to-people ties while also facilitating trade and tourism.
In support of long-term growth, the Ministry is overhauling its licensing process by introducing a fully digital application system through the Pakistan Single Window platform. This reform aims to reduce approval times from six months to one month, cutting red tape and encouraging private sector participation. Flexible financial models are also under consideration to make entry into the ferry business more accessible for investors.
Read Top Stories
The ferry service is part of a broader national strategy to unlock the potential of Pakistan’s maritime sector. Other goals include reducing port dwell time, cutting port charges to make exports more competitive, and promoting maritime tourism as a new economic avenue.
Sea Keepers is expected to begin operations soon, with vessels outfitted to international standards. While no official launch date has been announced, the government has signaled that service will commence shortly, subject to operational readiness and bilateral coordination with the destination countries.
Pakistan’s entry into international ferry operations is a strategic move to assert itself as a regional trade and transport hub, offering both economic and diplomatic dividends across the Gulf and beyond.