The maritime sector of Pakistan reported profits of $360 million in 2025, according to the ministry.

The maritime sector achieved a record profit of Rs100 billion ($360 million) in 2025, following extensive reforms, announced Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Saturday.

In detailing his ministry’s annual performance, Chaudhry characterized 2025 as a “transformative year” featuring over two dozen programs encompassing legislation, digitization, infrastructure development, and human resources.

In 2025, Karachi Port processed a record 54 million tons of cargo, while the average vessel dwell time was reduced by 24-36 hours due to enhanced coordination among port officials, customs, and other agencies, targeting an average turnaround of five days, as reported by the minister.

The minister stated, “These reforms are modernizing our ports, shipping, and fisheries to realize the full potential of the blue economy,” noting that Pakistan has aligned its regulatory framework with international standards, including the conventions of the International Maritime Organization and the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling.

The government has also sanctioned a National Shipping Policy designed to augment the Pakistan-flagged fleet, thereby diminishing dependence on foreign carriers, which has been a persistent drain on foreign exchange.

Pakistan has completed stakeholder discussions on the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, which aims for annual seafood exports of $2 billion and the generation of about two million jobs in coastal towns and related businesses, as stated by the minister.

Junaid Chaudhry stated that cost-cutting initiatives yielded significant savings, noting that reduced overtime at the Karachi Port Trust alone saved over Rs70 million monthly, while the elimination of 2,152 superfluous positions across maritime companies decreased human resource expenditures by billions of rupees.

The minister noted that the Karachi Port Trust and the Port Qasim Authority regained approximately 150 acres of encroached land valued at almost Rs110 billion, while Port Qasim additionally recovered eight acres.

Chaudhry stated that they launched the Pakistan Maritime Century Framework 2047–2147 to promote the maritime sector, established an Artificial Intelligence Maritime Secretariat to oversee ports, transitioned to a paperless governance model via a complete e-office implementation, integrated the Pakistan Single Window with the Port Community System to optimize trade processes, and introduced an electronic public asset disposal system to improve transparency and efficiency.

“Continuous implementation will be essential for preserving the momentum of these accomplishments, and the progress achieved in 2025 establishes a robust foundation for transforming Pakistan’s extensive coastline and strategic position into a sustainable blue economic advantage,” he stated.