KARACHI: Pakistan is moving to strengthen its blue economy and expand high-value exports with plans to develop a modern seafood processing and export zone at Karachi’s Korangi Fisheries Harbor, a project that could cost up to $80 million.
According to Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, the proposed 100-acre zone is designed to help Pakistan transition from exporting raw seafood to selling value-added products, supported by advanced processing, cold-chain, packaging and logistics infrastructure linked directly to international buyers.
The initiative is aimed at positioning Pakistan as a competitive supplier to Gulf countries and other regional markets. In a statement, Junaid Chaudhry said the project would be developed under a public-private partnership or build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, allowing private investors to finance and operate the facilities while the Korangi Fisheries Harbor Authority retains regulatory oversight.
“The estimated project cost ranges between $60 million and $80 million, based on regional benchmarks from countries such as Vietnam, China and Ecuador, which have successfully developed similar seafood parks,” the minister said.
He explained that the zone would house 20 to 25 medium- and large-scale seafood processing units handling fish, shrimp and cephalopods, supported by large-scale cold storage, blast freezing, packaging facilities, logistics services and dedicated export terminals.
A wastewater treatment plant would also be part of the project to ensure environmentally compliant operations.
Chaudhry said packaging and labeling units would operate under internationally recognised food safety and quality standards, including HACCP and ISO certifications.
These facilities would offer advanced solutions such as vacuum packing, modified atmosphere packaging and retail-ready products to meet the requirements of global buyers.
The zone will be used exclusively for commercial seafood processing, packaging, cold storage and export-oriented activities. It will include multi-temperature storage facilities ranging from minus 18 to minus 40 degrees Celsius, along with ice plants capable of producing between 50 and 100 tons of ice per day.
According to the minister, the preferred investment structure is a BOT concession under which a private partner would finance, develop and operate the project for an expected tenure of 20 years, after which ownership would revert to the harbor authority.
He added that the project’s internal rate of return is estimated between 13 percent and 17 percent, with revenues generated through lease rentals, processing fees, logistics services and export-related earnings.
“The project will position Pakistan as a key maritime trade and seafood export hub serving Gulf, East African and Asian markets,” Chaudhry said, highlighting its potential to create jobs, attract foreign investment and enhance Pakistan’s standing in regional seafood trade.
