Pakistan Unveils Ambitious Expansion Plan for Gwadar Port to Boost Regional Trade

ISLAMAABAD, July 2 — In a significant move to revitalise Gwadar Port and transform it into a regional maritime hub, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at expanding the port’s operational capacity. The initiative includes the addition of new shipping lines and the launch of a ferry service linking Pakistan with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The announcement came during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, with senior officials of the ministry in attendance.

“This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance regional connectivity, boost maritime trade, and position Gwadar as a major transhipment and logistics centre in the Arabian Sea,” said Minister Chaudhry. “With the port now fully operational, we must integrate it into international shipping networks and unlock its full potential.”

The new shipping lines are expected to enhance the movement of goods, promote transit trade with Central Asia and the Middle East, and strengthen Pakistan’s role in regional logistics. Chaudhry noted that these routes would also ease the burden on existing ports and offer quicker, more efficient cargo handling.

In a parallel development, the ministry plans to launch a passenger and cargo ferry service from Gwadar to GCC countries, offering a direct and affordable maritime link. The service aims to benefit expatriate communities, cross-border traders, and the local economy.

“The ferry service will strengthen people-to-people ties, boost tourism, and serve as a new economic lifeline for Balochistan,” the minister said, adding that it will generate employment, improve local infrastructure, and attract private investment in sectors such as ship services, hospitality, and transportation.

The renewed push comes amid long-standing concerns over the underutilisation of Gwadar Port, which was constructed over a decade ago as a key component of the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Despite its strategic location, the port has yet to emerge as a viable transhipment hub, often being cited as a “white elephant” due to limited commercial activity.

In January 2025, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, during a review meeting ordered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, criticised the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the National Logistics Cell (NLC) for what he termed “non-professional handling” of the port. Stakeholders voiced concerns that Gwadar had failed to match the pace of regional counterparts and had not delivered on promises of trade and employment, partly due to inadequate civic infrastructure and lack of marketing.

To jumpstart port operations, the prime minister ordered that 60% of all public sector cargo be routed through Gwadar. He also directed a detailed report on why the port had failed to meet expectations, seeking actionable recommendations to reverse the trend.

The new expansion plan is widely seen as a crucial step in addressing those concerns and reinvigorating Gwadar’s role in regional trade and development.