ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid AnwarChaudhry has proposed establishing a formal maritime cooperation frameworkbetween the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and the BangladeshShipping Corporation to enhance bilateral collaboration in the shippingsector.
The proposal was presented during talks held in London with Bangladesh’sAdviser for Shipping Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hussain, accordingto an official statement issued by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.Bothnations, founding members of the Developing-8 group, possess substantialmerchant fleets and operate major ports, yet formal coordination betweentheir national shipping lines has remained limited until now.
The envisaged framework would cover joint container and bulk cargoservices, technical training programmes, maritime safety standards,seafarer development initiatives, and reciprocal facilitation for portcalls.It would also promote regular high-level diplomatic and technicalexchanges to strengthen institutional linkages across the maritime domain.
Officials believe the structured partnership will optimise shipping routes,reduce operational costs, and improve regional connectivity between SouthAsian and Southeast Asian markets. Minister Chaudhry emphasised Pakistan’scommitment to deepening institutional ties in the maritime sector,describing the initiative as a step toward greater economic integrationbetween the two Muslim-majority neighbours.
The proposal comes amid growing interest in enhancing intra-D-8 trade andmaritime connectivity, particularly through efficient sea-based logistics.
Both sides expressed optimism that formalising cooperation would yieldmutual benefits in an increasingly competitive global shipping environment.
Source: https://moma.gov.pk
