Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss new port development projects, Karachi–Jeddah Sister Port pact

• Saudi delegation to soon share draft MoU for long-term maritime partnership, Pakistan’s maritime minister says after meeting Saudi transport minister
• Proposal for joint ventures between Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and Saudi Arabia’s national shipping line, Bahri, also under discussion 

KARACHI: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia held wide-ranging talks in London on Thursday focused on new shipping and port development projects, including a proposed Sister Port agreement between Karachi Port and Jeddah Islamic Port, Pakistan’s maritime ministry said.

The two countries have expanded economic and security engagement in recent years, with maritime logistics and port development emerging as a growing area of collaboration. Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in its port infrastructure under Vision 2030, while Pakistan is seeking foreign partnerships to modernize its shipping capacity and upgrade facilities in Karachi and along the Arabian Sea.

Pakistan’s federal minister for maritime affairs, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, said the discussions with the Saudi transport minister in London on the sidelines of International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly focused on broadening maritime ties across shipping, logistics, training and investment.

“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to further enhance maritime cooperation,” a statement from the maritime ministry said, adding that both sides reviewed “new cooperation in shipping and port development.”

The two sides also discussed a Sister Port agreement between Karachi Port and Jeddah Islamic Port, a move aimed at boosting cargo movement, harmonizing port procedures and enhancing connectivity between two of the region’s major maritime gateways.

As part of Pakistan’s efforts to align its maritime sector with global standards, Chaudhry said the two leaders examined “investment opportunities under Maritime Vision 2047,” the country’s long-term plan to expand its port capacity, digitalize shipping systems and build a competitive merchant fleet.

The minister also said a proposal for joint ventures between the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) and Saudi Arabia’s national shipping line, Bahri, was under active consideration.

He added that the two countries had agreed to expand commercial linkages between private-sector operators, noting that both sides reached agreement on “increasing B2B maritime cooperation.”

Chaudhry also reported progress on seafarer training, a priority for Pakistan as it seeks to expand employment opportunities for its maritime workforce abroad. He said there had been “positive progress” regarding “training opportunities for Pakistani seafarers on Saudi vessels.”

According to the handout, the Saudi delegation informed Pakistan that Riyadh would soon share a draft memorandum of understanding aimed at building a long-term maritime partnership.