Pakistan to Boost Shipping Capacity By 600% in Three Years
With a strong focus on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, Pakistan has revealed an audacious initiative to upsurge its national shipping capacity over the next three years by 600%. Committing financial support to the fleet expansion program, The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Qasim Authority (PQA) have separately signed agreements with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) to modernize the state-owned shipping fleet by incorporating greener technologies and energy-efficient vessels, in alignment with the country's climate goals and sustainability agenda. The initiative pursues to reduce sea freight bills, conserve foreign exchange reserves, and strengthen Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure by decreasing dependence on foreign vessels. The modernization efforts boost trade connectivity and reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to climate-smart development, lower fuel consumption in cleaner vessels led to reduce the environmental impact of maritime operations ensures compliance with international emissions standards.
|
Soybean Yield Gap
To address the disparity between domestic and international soybean yields, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has directed to conduct a thorough comparative analysis of locally produced and imported soybean seed and meal. The aim of concluding the soybean yield gap with enhancing Pakistan’s agricultural productivity competitiveness and the production costs of domestic soybean products. Concerns have raised include potential gene escape and associated environmental risks regarding the biosafety and regulatory implications of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) soybean seed and meal. Policy decisions must be grounded in rigorous scientific evidence with clear, stringent safety protocols must be in place before any decisions regarding GMO adoption are considered.
|
Pakistan's Trade Performance in FY2024-25
Pakistan's trade performance in FY2024-25 presented a mixed picture. Pakistan's trade performance in FY2024-25 showed modest growth in overall exports of goods and services compared to FY2023-24 and overshadowed by a more increase in imports, leading to a widened overall trade deficit. Despite missing the government's export target of $32.341 billion, Pakistan’s exports grew from $30.98 billion to $32.30 billion. Pakistan's current account balance showed improvement, recording a surplus of $1.859 billion for FY2024-25 (July-April data), a turnaround from a deficit of $1.652 billion in the same period of FY2023-24. Key export sectors like textiles, food (especially rice), and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services shown particularly strong potential demonstrated growth, with remained challenges in managing the import bill, particularly for energy and essential raw materials, and in diversifying export markets.
|
OGRA Launches Digital Platform to Streamline Oil Supply Chain
To develop and enhance transparency in fuel oil supply chain OGRA has taken step to digitally streamline the whole supply chain covering everything from import terminal to fuel station and launched a digital platform. The digitization is mandatory for all stages of the supply chain with digital monitoring underscoring the importance of digital systems for operational efficiency and national integrity. Outdated systems cannot impede national progress, signaling a strong stance on modernizing the sector, platform is designed and every link is digitized, to eliminate inadequacies curb pilferage and a firm warning against any attempts to obstruct the digitization process to restore public trust in the energy sector.
|
Oil Sector Urges Swift Revision of Margins
The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) urged to the Ministry for Petroleum and Oil sector to call for a revision of oil marketing companies’ (OMCs) margins, associated cost recovery mechanisms and raised concerns over the nearly two-year delay in implementation inconsistent margin revisions are discouraging sponsors particularly of multinational OMCs from investing in critical infrastructure and expansion projects. The last revision, approved in September 2023, However, the subsequent revision, due in September 2024, has yet to be implemented the prolonged delay has placed significant financial strain on OMCs. In June 2024, the OCAC proposed a revised margin based on key cost components such as financing costs for maintaining the mandatory 20-day stock cover, turnover tax, handling losses, demurrage charges, unadjusted GST, and other operational expenses incurred by OMCs.
|
Australia – Pakistan Joint Ventures in Minerals-Rich Mining Sector
Strong interest with investment opportunities expressed by the Australian high commissioner about Australian mining firms in Pakistan's growing energy sector with vast deposits of natural resources. Intensifying bilateral cooperation in energy and mining, with a particular focus on investment, technology transfer and skills development, collaboration of the Pakistani institutions with experienced mining and renewable energy mining firms and Australian universities to develop dedicated training programs with introduction of modern mining techniques and services to modernized local expertise in Pakistan to support the development of Pakistan's mining sector.
|
Maritime Collaboration between PNSC and Chinese Firm
Agreement related to mutual cooperation and commercial engagement between the two companies, The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, a national flag carrier of Pakistan and Shangdong Xinxu Group Corporation of China established in 2010 in Shandong Province of China, has an extensive overseas network of agents looking after its worldwide shipping business, has signed a non-committal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with for a duration of 12 months. The collaboration is intended for commercial benefits to each party, to create a favorable environment for growth in maritime commerce while reinforcing Pakistan’s position in global shipping networks and explore business opportunities of mutual interest in international shipping sectors.
|
Launch of Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS) on July 31, 2025
As part of long-standing vision to boost national astronomical competences under the National Space Policy and Vision 2047, Pakistan is set to launch its latest Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS) on July 31, 2025, from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center, announced the SUPARCO – Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission. The launch fortifies Pakistan’s mounting space fleet and develop the country’s Earth observation capabilities. Latest Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS) designed to support strategic sectors, will provide critical facts for Agriculture and crop monitoring, regional infrastructure planning, Geospatial mapping for national development, Environmental monitoring, Natural disaster prediction and management, (e.g., floods, earthquakes, landslides, glacier melt, deforestation).
|
|
© 2025 Alpine Marine Services Private Limited
all rights reserved
|
|
|
