Pakistan and Oman are exploring ways to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation, including the launch of a ferry service to enhance tourism, trade, and connectivity between the two countries.
The development came during a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Oman’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Fahad bin Sulaiman bin Khalaf Al Kharusi.
Both sides emphasized the importance of deepening maritime collaboration by sharing marine expertise and improving infrastructure to facilitate smoother sea links. They also acknowledged the longstanding diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between the two nations.
The minister noted that Pakistan’s exports to Oman via ports reached approximately $224 million in 2024 and stressed the need to scale up trade through joint initiatives, including the proposed ferry service.
Chaudhry underscored the economic potential of launching a direct ferry service from Gwadar to Oman, projecting multi-billion-dollar benefits in trade expansion, investment inflows, and transit revenue.
He stated that Pakistan stands to earn an estimated $10–15 billion annually through Gwadar’s maritime operations, while Oman could establish a maritime corridor to South and Central Asia, significantly enhancing its regional connectivity.
The Minister called on Oman’s support to expedite the ferry service launch, which would not only facilitate trade and logistics but also promote regional tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
The ambassador welcomed the proposals, reaffirming the importance of cultural and people-to-people connections between the two countries. He noted that Urdu remains widely spoken and understood in Oman, reflecting longstanding social bonds.
He also praised the positive role of the Pakistani diaspora in Oman’s development and proposed increased business-to-business engagements to stimulate trade and investment.
