Pakistan, Bangladesh Eye Ferry Service and Direct Shipping Line to Boost Maritime Ties
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh are accelerating efforts to strengthen maritime connectivity, with officials discussing plans for a ferry service and a direct shipping line as part of broader initiatives to expand trade, travel and economic cooperation.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry met Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan, on Tuesday to review a proposal for launching a ferry service between the two countries.
During the meeting, both sides examined the feasibility of introducing a passenger and cargo ferry route linking ports in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Officials said the initiative could promote tourism, enhance people-to-people contact and open new trade corridors connecting the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
Minister Chaudhry said the proposed ferry service would offer a cost-effective transport option while serving as both a symbolic and practical step toward strengthening bilateral economic ties. He noted that improved maritime links could help diversify trade routes and ease logistical challenges faced by exporters and importers in both countries.
The two sides also discussed establishing a direct shipping line between Pakistan and Bangladesh. The minister pointed out that, in the absence of a dedicated maritime route, goods are currently routed through third countries, increasing transit time and costs. A direct shipping link, he said, would enhance supply chain efficiency and add a new dimension to bilateral trade.
Both officials agreed that stronger maritime connectivity could contribute to wider regional economic stability by fostering greater trade integration and cooperation among South Asian economies.
The meeting comes amid a gradual improvement in relations between Islamabad and Dhaka in recent months. Diplomatic engagement has intensified, with high-level contacts and renewed interest in cooperation across sectors such as shipping, aviation and commerce following years of limited interaction.
Officials said recent exchanges have focused on rebuilding trust and advancing mutually beneficial economic initiatives, moving beyond historical grievances. Discussions on ferry and shipping links were described as part of this broader push to translate improved diplomatic ties into concrete economic collaboration.
Pakistan and Bangladesh reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade and economic cooperation, pledging to transform longstanding historical ties into a forward-looking partnership anchored in connectivity, commerce and regional integration.
