KARACHI: In a strategic move to enhance Pakistan's trade sovereignty and energy security, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is set to increase its fleet size from 13 to 30 ships by the end of 2027. This development is seen as a significant step towards reducing reliance on foreign shipping companies and conserving foreign exchange.
According to Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, Mian Zahid Hussain, the organization's president, praised Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for his directive to acquire and lease additional ships. Hussain emphasized that the expansion of PNSC's fleet is aligned with efforts to elevate the corporation to international standards and ensure reliable transportation of petroleum products.
Earlier this year, PNSC inducted three modern oil tankers—MT Karachi, MT Lahore, and MT Quetta—adding substantial carrying capacity and bringing the total number of PNSC-managed ships to 13. The corporation's current fleet comprises eight tankers and five bulk carriers. The expansion plan includes the addition of three to five feeder container ships by the end of 2026, aiming to boost shipping capacity for trade with Gulf countries, the Red Sea, and South Asia.
The construction of a container ship at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works is also underway, further promoting Pakistan's shipbuilding industry. However, chartered vessels may still be necessary to fulfill immediate shipping needs due to the project's extended timeline.
Hussain highlighted the economic significance of the initiative, noting that Pakistan's exports to Gulf countries saw a modest increase in the first half of 2026. Reliable feeder connections could shield exporters from freight-rate volatility, potentially conserving foreign exchange by redirecting cargo to Pakistani-owned ships.
In his statement, Hussain called for transparency and commercial viability in ship acquisitions, stressing the need for professional management and modern infrastructure to achieve sustainable economic gains and export growth.