Pakistan has issued its first-ever international ferry license, authorizing maritime operator Sea Keepers to launch passenger routes connecting the country with Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs announced on August 4.
The license approval followed a high-level meeting of Pakistan’s Licensing Committee, which included senior officials from the maritime affairs, defense, foreign affairs, and interior ministries, alongside representatives from the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and port authorities.
The development was reported during Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian’s two-day visit to Pakistan. The two countries signed multiple agreements across sectors such as energy and trade. They finalized the Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and pledged to reach the target of $10 billion in bilateral trade by 2028.
Strategic Shift toward Sea-based Connectivity
The new ferry service marks a strategic shift in Pakistan’s approach to regional mobility and trade. With initial operations set to begin from the ports of Karachi and Gwadar, the service aims to serve hundreds of thousands of passengers annually, particularly religious pilgrims to Iran and Iraq, laborers, and tourists bound for GCC destinations.
“This license creates the opportunity for boosting regional connectivity, religious tourism, and economic activity via sea routes,” said Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry in a statement. He called the development a “historic step” aligned with both the National Maritime Policy and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for enhancing Pakistan’s geostrategic utility.
Chaudhry confirmed that modern ferry vessels equipped with essential amenities would be deployed to ensure safe and cost-effective travel. The ministry has not yet confirmed the launch date, but indicated that future expansion of routes and port calls will depend on demand and bilateral agreements with regional partners.
Easing pressure on Land and Air Routes
The ferry service is expected to reduce travel costs for the Pakistani diaspora and religious travelers, offering an alternative to expensive airfares and overburdened land routes. With Arbaeen season approaching, a peak pilgrimage period for visits to Iran and Iraq, the maritime ministry is positioning the service as a timely solution amid travel restrictions on land routes.
Last week, the ministry deliberated launching ferry operations specifically to facilitate pilgrims (zaireen) during Arbaeen, following government restrictions on cross-border land travel to Iran.
Five private operators have already submitted proposals for routes from Gwadar to various Gulf ports, underscoring strong commercial interest in the project.
Supporting Trade, Tourism, and the Blue Economy
This initiative also ties into broader maritime sector reforms aimed at boosting Pakistan’s blue economy and enhancing regional trade logistics. As part of a broader recovery effort under a $7 billion IMF program, Islamabad is seeking to improve seaport efficiency, cut container dwell times by up to 70%, and reduce port charges, measures intended to bolster trade competitiveness.
“The ferry service launch forms part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to develop its blue economy, improve trade logistics, and promote maritime tourism,” said Chaudhry, adding that the government remains committed to creating sustainable sea transport infrastructure across the region.
While the first license has gone to Sea Keepers, further participation from international and local operators is expected as maritime traffic increases and diplomatic cooperation with regional partners deepens.