KARACHI: Pakistan has resumed commercial shipbuilding after more than four decades, with construction under way on a 1,100-TEU feeder containership at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.
The vessel, being built for the state-owned Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, is Pakistan’s first commercial containership project since the early 1980s.
Officials said steel cutting for the ship has been completed, marking a major step in the country’s plan to expand its maritime sector, improve port operations and reduce dependence on foreign-built vessels.
Vice Admiral retired Iftikhar Ahmad Rao, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Maritime Reforms, said the project had started at Karachi Shipyard under a contract with Pakistan National Shipping Corporation.
The contract was originally signed in February 2024 and is valued at $24.75 million, according to PNSC financial accounts.
The vessel will sail under the Pakistan flag and is expected to support feeder container services, reduce foreign exchange spending and strengthen the national shipping fleet.
Officials said local shipbuilding would also create manufacturing jobs and support Pakistan’s wider blue economy ambitions.
The project is part of maritime reforms launched to remove bottlenecks, modernise ports and revive domestic shipping capacity.
Authorities have also introduced measures such as advanced container scanners, round-the-clock port operations and improved customs clearance systems.
Officials said Pakistan’s renewed focus on shipbuilding, ports and ship recycling could help unlock major economic potential in the maritime sector.
