The federal Cabinet has approved a new ferry service connecting Gwadar, Pakistan, with Oman. The service will carry both passengers and cargo, enhancing trade and travel between the two countries.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the Cabinet’s decision on Friday. He stated that the initiative aims to strengthen economic and maritime cooperation with Oman.
Both countries will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the ferry link. An Omani delegation is expected to visit Pakistan to finalize operational arrangements.
The Cabinet’s approval follows a high-level meeting in July 2025 between Minister Chaudhry and Oman’s Ambassador Fahad bin Sulaiman bin Khalaf Al Kharusi in Islamabad. Both sides discussed ways to boost trade, investment, and maritime collaboration.
Chaudhry projected that Pakistan could earn $10–15 billion annually through ferry-related maritime operations. Gwadar’s annual export revenue is expected to exceed $850 million, including $645 million from value-added fisheries and $200–205 million from dates. The ferry route will also provide Oman with efficient access to Central Asian markets.
In 2024, Pakistan’s exports to Oman reached $224 million. Chaudhry emphasized that the new ferry service, combined with upgraded port infrastructure, could significantly increase trade volumes between the two nations.
Pakistan has issued its first international ferry service license, enabling licensed passenger ferry operations with Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Oman, UAE, Bahrain, and Iran. The framework provides regulatory clarity and encourages private-sector participation in ferry operations, boosting regional maritime trade.
The minister also highlighted the Pakistani diaspora in Oman, estimated at 250,000–320,000, with total working residents possibly reaching 360,000. The ferry link is expected to facilitate easier travel for these communities, promoting personal and business connections.
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The Cabinet’s approval of the Gwadar-Oman ferry service is seen as a significant step to enhance Pakistan’s maritime trade, regional connectivity, and bilateral relations with Oman.
