Pakistan moves toward greener maritime sector with new recycling yard

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said Pakistan is making significant strides toward becoming a responsible and sustainable maritime nation, as he inaugurated the country’s first green ship recycling yard and launched construction of a new national container vessel.

Addressing a ceremony at the Prime Green Recycling Yard, Chaudhry said the project marked a major milestone for Pakistan’s maritime history and demonstrated the country’s commitment to environmentally friendly ship recycling practices.

“Pakistan is now fully aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s requirements,” he said, adding that worker safety and environmental protection were top government priorities. He said the Gadani Ship Recycling Zone was being modernized to meet global standards and would create thousands of jobs while saving valuable foreign exchange.

The minister credited the Pakistan Ship Breakers Association with playing a key role in organizing the industry and said modern ship recycling would help Pakistan emerge as a responsible player in the global maritime sector.

Later, Chaudhry addressed a steel-cutting ceremony at Karachi Shipyard, formally marking the start of construction on a 1,100 TEU container ship for the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. He described the project as a major milestone for the national maritime sector.

The minister said the vessel would be built entirely with domestic resources and would reduce Pakistan’s reliance on foreign shipping lines. He added that expanding the national fleet would strengthen supply chains, enhance PNSC’s operational capacity and contribute to economic stability.

“About 95% of Pakistan’s trade moves through sea routes, making a strong maritime sector indispensable for the national economy,” Chaudhry said. He noted that shipbuilding and ship repair were central elements of the national maritime policy and that Karachi Shipyard was emerging as a key hub for maritime development.

The minister reiterated that development of the maritime sector remained a top priority of the government, aimed at positioning Pakistan as a safe, sustainable and competitive maritime leader in the region.