Pakistan proposes to deepen maritime cooperation with Bangladesh

Pakistan proposes formal framework for maritime transport cooperation with Bangladesh

Islamabad has proposed a formal framework for establishing a partnership between Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) for cooperation in the maritime transport sector.

Pakistan's Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chowdhury made the proposal in a meeting with retired Brigadier General M. Sakhawat Hossain, Advisor on Shipping, in London, UK, on ​​Monday (November 24).
Pakistan's English daily The Dawn reported this news.

Pakistan's proposal to Bangladesh outlines a plan for a comprehensive partnership. The proposed partnership includes joint container and bulk shipping services, technical training programs, maritime security and training for seafarers (seafarers) to improve their skills, provide mutual port-call facilities, and strengthen high-level diplomatic and technical engagement in the field of cargo transportation.

Pakistan’s Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry stressed Pakistan’s larger goal of building a cooperative framework with Bangladesh on maritime transport-related issues through platforms such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), as well as relevant regional maritime groups.

He highlighted the growing capacity, ongoing modernization initiatives, and improved turnaround times of KPT (Karachi Port Authority) as evidence of Pakistan’s readiness to strengthen regional trade flows.

The minister said that closer port-to-port cooperation can reduce logistics challenges, remove regional bottlenecks, and open new doors for trade integration across South Asia.