ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cabinet has approved the launch of a passenger and cargo ferry service between Pakistan and Oman, aiming to boost maritime connectivity, trade, and tourism.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the decision on Friday. He said Pakistan and Oman would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the service. An Omani delegation will visit Pakistan soon to finalize operational details, the press release added.
The move follows a July 2025 meeting between Minister Chaudhry and Oman’s Ambassador Fahad bin Sulaiman bin Khalaf Al Kharusi in Islamabad, where both sides discussed maritime and economic cooperation.
Chaudhry said a direct ferry link from Gwadar to Oman carries strategic significance. He noted that the service could expand trade, attract investment, and generate transit revenue.
He projected Gwadar’s annual export revenue to exceed $850 million, driven by $645 million from value-added fisheries and up to $205 million from the date sector. He said the ferry route would also give Oman an efficient corridor to Central Asian markets.
Pakistan exported $224 million worth of goods to Oman in 2024. The minister said upgraded port facilities and the new ferry service could significantly raise this figure. The planned route will carry both passengers and cargo, offering a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to current transport modes. Officials expect smoother logistics to benefit tourism, trade, and supply-chain operations across the region.
Pakistan has already issued its first international ferry service license, allowing passenger ferry operations between Pakistan and GCC states, including Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, and Iran. Officials say the licensing framework will attract private operators and increase regional maritime connectivity.
Chaudhry highlighted the importance of the Pakistani diaspora in Oman, estimating their population at 250,000 to 320,000 by the end of 2024. Including all categories of workers, the number could approach 360,000. He said the ferry link will ease travel for the community and strengthen personal and business ties.
Officials see the Pakistan–Oman tourism corridor as a major growth area, supported by short sailing distances, cultural links, and scenic coastal routes. Chaudhry said the ferry service could become one of the region’s fastest-growing bilateral tourism channels, benefiting hospitality and transport sectors in both countries.
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The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s broader maritime strategy, which seeks to position Gwadar as a regional port hub and engine of economic growth. The new ferry service marks a concrete step toward deeper maritime cooperation with Oman and greater regional integration.
