Cabinet has approved Gwadar-Oman ferry service: minister

KARACHI: The cabinet has approved the launch of a passenger and cargo ferry service between Pakistan and Oman, a move aimed at strengthening maritime connectivity and boosting bilateral trade and tourism.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the development, noting that both countries would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the ferry link, and an Omanese delegation will visit Pakistan soon to finalize the arrangements.

The initiative follows a high-level meeting in July 2025 between Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Oman’s Ambassador Fahad bin Sulaiman bin Khalaf Al Kharusi in Islamabad, where both sides discussed ways to enhance economic and maritime collaboration.

Minister Chaudhry emphasised the strategic importance of establishing a direct ferry route from Gwadar to Oman, highlighting its potential to generate significant economic benefits through expanded trade, increased investment inflows, and transit revenue.

He projected that Gwadar’s annual export revenue is forecast to exceed USD 850 million, generated primarily by USD 645 million from value-added fisheries and USD 200 million to USD 205 million from the date sector, while regional partners like Oman gain a highly efficient route to access Central Asian economies.

In 2024, Pakistan’s exports to Oman totaled USD 224 million, and the minister stressed that the new ferry service, alongside upgraded port infrastructure and strengthened bilateral cooperation, could substantially increase this figure. The service is expected to facilitate the movement of both passengers and cargo, creating a direct, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional shipping and air transport. By providing smoother logistics channels, it could also benefit a wide range of sectors including tourism, trade, and supply chain operations, further integrating the regional economy.

Pakistan has already issued its first-ever international ferry service license, paving the way for licensed passenger ferry operations between Pakistan and countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council, including Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Iran. This licensing framework is expected to provide regulatory clarity and encourage private-sector participation in the ferry operations, boosting maritime trade and connectivity in the region.

Minister Chaudhry also highlighted the role of the Pakistani diaspora in Oman, estimating that approximately 250,000 to 320,000 Pakistanis resided there as of the end of 2024. He noted that when including all categories of workers, this number could reach around 360,000, depending on definitions of residency and employment. Strengthening the ferry link is expected to facilitate travel for these communities, enabling easier personal and business connections between the two countries.

The Pakistan–Oman tourism corridor is seen as a promising avenue for growth, driven by cultural ties, scenic coastal landscapes, and short-distance maritime connectivity. Minister Chaudhry suggested that the corridor could become one of the fastest-growing bilateral tourism routes in the region, supporting hospitality, transport, and leisure sectors on both sides.

By combining economic, social, and cultural objectives, the ferry service is envisioned as a transformative step in Pakistan–Oman relations, reinforcing cooperation while unlocking new opportunities for trade, tourism, and regional integration.

This initiative underscores Pakistan’s broader maritime strategy, aiming to leverage Gwadar’s port and coastline as engines for economic growth, while enhancing its role as a regional hub in the maritime sector. The ferry service represents a concrete step toward realizing these goals and establishing a durable, mutually beneficial maritime partnership with Oman.