Ferry service between Gwadar and Oman has finally been approved after Pakistan government granted its first-ever ferry service license to Sea Keepers, an international operator, for routes connecting with Gulf countries. Maritime Affairs Ministry official told Gwadar Pro that Omani delegation will visit Pakistan to finalize arrangements regarding the ferry service saying the move is aimed at boosting trade and tourism.

Pakistan cabinet has hailed the move as a “historic step,” aligned with Pakistan’s National Maritime Policy, and emphasized the opportunity this license creates for boosting regional connectivity, tourism and economic activity via sea. Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said Islamabad and Oman will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the ferry link and the service will begin soon.

“New ferry route is expected to increase trade volume and investment. Travel will be easier for Pakistani expatriates,” he said in a statement shared by his ministry. Besides trade, the ferry service will promote tourism and cultural ties, according to the maritime affairs minister. It will also reduce travel costs as compared to air transport.

“New maritime corridors will make Gwadar a new hub of economic activities,” he said. “Regional countries will get access to Central Asian markets through the ferry link.” Pakistan is currently making efforts to capitalize on its geostrategic location to boost trade and investment alongside tourism as it slowly recovers from a macroeconomic crisis under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.

The South Asian country also plans to cut container dwell time at its seaports by up to 70 percent to improve trade competitiveness and ease congestion. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are also considering linking their coastal destinations in a bid to boost marine tourism, Gwadar Pro reported on Friday.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China