This country to invest $2 billion in Pakistan maritime sector by building 50 new Ships and Vessels
Shares
ISLAMABAD - Singapore shipbuilding and marine service firm Global Radiance Group has announced plans to invest around $2 billion in the Pakistani shipbuilding industry.
Reliance Group Chairman and Managing director Abdul Lateef Siddiqui said the step will create about 4,000 jobs. He said that the country is currently forced to pay up to $4 billion to foreign shipping companies.
Pakistan’s state-owned National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) reportedly operates nine ships, three tankers and six bulk carriers with only 65,786 seafarers, 18,988 officers and 46,798 crews are currently being employed in the sector.
Siddiqui highlighted that the country’s shipping industry is earning as low as $500 million compared to the Philippines, which is generating more than $6 billion from the sector annually.
“PNSC tankers are only used to carry oil for Pakistan, however, there’s more appetite considering present and future requirement due to CPEC [China–Pakistan Economic Corridor] and oil refinery,” he said. “Besides, when the fleet is added it will create further jobs and support complimentary industries.”
The Singapore-based company pledged to build 50 new ships of the desired type and size, with the vessels expected to start being commissioned within two years.
The ships are projected to pay off the entire cost of up to $50 million within 10 years, “becoming an asset besides yielding other obvious multifarious profits.”
