KARACHI: Pakistan has granted its first-ever ferry service license to an international operator, Sea Keepers, for routes connecting Pakistan with Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the Pakistani maritime affairs ministry said on Monday.
The approval followed a high-level meeting of the licensing committee, comprising officials from maritime affairs, defense, foreign affairs and interior ministries, along with representatives from the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) and Ports and Shipping authorities.
The new ferry service is expected to serve hundreds of thousands annually, including workers and tourists bound for GCC states as well as pilgrims traveling to Iran and Iraq, alleviate pressure on land routes and reduce travel costs as compared to air transport for Pakistani diaspora and religious travelers.
Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry hailed the move as a “historic step,” aligned with Pakistan’s National Maritime Policy, and emphasized the opportunity this license creates for boosting regional connectivity, religious tourism and economic activity via sea routes.
“Initial operations will commence from the ports of Karachi and Gwadar using modern ferry vessels equipped with essential amenities to ensure safe, affordable travel,” Chaudhry was quoted as saying by his ministry.
