Pakistan has decided to build another shipyard at Gwadar to support the country’s steel industry. The decision was taken in the backdrop of increasing maritime activities and massive movement of ships at Gwadar port following the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Keeping all this in view, Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) had acquired land at Gwadar for the development of another shipyard which has been approved by the Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The new shipyard will be built with the support of Ministry of Defence Production in coordination with Government of Balochistan, informed the Managing Director of KSEW, Rear Admiral Ather Saleem, on Monday.

He said the shipyard land had been acquired at Surnallah area in Gwadar.

We have earmarked the land at Surnallah, which will be developed under Joint Venture with reputed international shipyard/consortium.

Saleem added that the work on the project office is underway. MD KSEW further said that there are 23 sizeable shipyards in India and 5 in Bangladesh compared to only one shipyard in Pakistan.

He believed that the Karachi Port Trust and Bin Qasim Port should patronize the indigenous domestic shipping industry and should locally buy the ships for their requirements.

Ather Saleem highlighted that the maritime sector has vast potential and earning opportunities for the investors and underscored the need for public-private partnership in the industry.