Key points
- Swan Lake and P Aliki to enhance maritime and energy transport capacity
- Minister announces plan to grow fleet to 20 vessels by year-end
- PNSC’s role in transporting crude oil and petroleum products highlighted
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), the country’s national flag carrier, has expanded its fleet from 10 to 12 vessels with the addition of two Aframax-class tankers, Swan Lake and P Aliki, enhancing maritime and energy transport capacity.
PNSC Chief Executive Officer Zarar Hussain shared the information during a high-level meeting on Thursday.
He briefed the meeting attended by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, other officials and the heads of Karachi Port Trust and Port Qasim Authority (PQA).
“These new tankers increase the PNSC fleet to 12 ships, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening the national shipping sector,” Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said.
Growing ambition
He further announced the ambition to grow the fleet to 20 vessels by year-end.
The minister emphasised PNSC’s vital role in transporting crude oil and petroleum products, noting Aframax tankers, ranging from 80,000 to 120,000 deadweight tonnes, are favoured globally for their ability to access ports inaccessible to larger Very Large Crude Carriers.
This expansion is expected to boost Pakistan’s capacity to efficiently handle rising energy imports, he said.
Reliance on foreign shipping lines
Acknowledging the country’s dependence on imports for nearly 70 per cent of its energy needs, largely crude oil and refined products, Minister Chaudhry underlined that expanding the national fleet will decrease reliance on foreign shipping lines.
Currently, freight payments to foreign carriers cost Pakistan an estimated $4.6 billion annually. By carrying more cargo on its own vessels, PNSC aims to save significant foreign exchange, increase revenue, and bolster energy security, he added.
The minister also noted that PNSC is actively pursuing new business prospects both domestically and internationally, as part of wider efforts to revitalise the maritime economy and enhance supply chain resilience against external shocks.
