KARACHI: Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) has acquired land at Gwadar for the development of another shipyard, which has been approved by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, says Managing Director Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) Rear Admiral Ather Saleem at a meeting with the delegation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI).
“The decision is taken in view of increased movement of ships and maritime activities at Gwadar Port in the backdrop of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),” a statement quoted MD KSEW.
The shipyard land has been earmarked near Gwadar port area at Surnallah, which will be developed under joint venture with reputed international shipyard consortium. Project office in this regard is being established.
Ather Saleem said that there were more than 23 sizeable shipyards in India and five in Bangladesh against only one shipyard in Pakistan established since independence.
He underscored the need for public private partnership in the maritime sector as it offered a huge potential of the investment and earnings, including foreign exchange, in many fields such as transportation of goods through shipping, both inland and foreign countries.
He lamented the Karachi Port Trust and Bin Qasim Port for not patronizing the indigenous shipping industry and buying the ships, for their requirements, from foreign countries.[the_ad id=”32940″]Patron FPCCI S.M. Muneer lauded the efforts being made by the KSEW in ship building and development of maritime activities as they played an important role in facilitating trade through cheap transportation of goods.
He on behalf of business community of Pakistan and FPCCI assured the managing director KSEW of all support and cooperation in this regard.