ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Türkiye have discussed expanding maritime cooperation, including the potential launch of a ferry service between the two countries, as well as collaboration in shipbuilding, ship operations, and the shipbreaking sector.
The meeting was held between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, according to a statement issued by the Press Information Department on Friday.
Chaudhry said Pakistan attached “great importance to its longstanding brotherly relations with Türkiye” and emphasized that enhanced cooperation in the maritime domain would strengthen regional trade and connectivity.
He noted that Gwadar Port held “immense potential” for blue economy–related industries, and invited Turkish private sector investors to “consider taking part in development and logistics projects centered around Gwadar.”
He added, “Pakistan is committed to transforming Gwadar into a modern maritime and logistics hub that can significantly contribute to national and regional economic growth.”
Uraloğlu expressed Türkiye’s interest in deepening maritime ties and said the proposal for a ferry link would be reviewed with the relevant Turkish authorities.
He stated that such a service “could boost people-to-people exchanges, tourism, and bilateral trade by offering an affordable and efficient sea transport route.”
The Turkish minister also announced that a delegation of Turkish shipowners and port service providers would visit Pakistan soon, with a particular focus on exploring investment prospects at Gwadar.
He appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to modernize port infrastructure, saying Turkish companies were “keen to participate in mutually beneficial ventures.”
Chaudhry welcomed the initiative and assured “full support and facilitation” for the upcoming delegation.
Discussing the fisheries sector, he noted that Pakistan currently has a 25,000-ton quota for tuna, and suggested Turkish investors consider setting up value-added processing and canning facilities to tap into higher-value export markets.
He also announced that Pakistan would host a major maritime conference within the next three months to bring together regional and international stakeholders from the maritime, logistics, and fisheries sectors.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Pakistan–Türkiye cooperation through practical, mutually beneficial maritime collaboration, expressing confidence that stronger connectivity would contribute to shared prosperity and regional stability.
