Pakistan's Blue Economy: Turning Maritime Potential Into Economic Power - OpEd

The op-ed argues that Pakistan’s “Blue Economy”—shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, ports, tourism, offshore energy and shipbuilding—accounts for about 1% of GDP, despite a coastline of roughly 1,000 km. Citing a Planning Ministry URAAN report, the author says targeted actions could add around $4 billion by 2030. It highlights recent milestones: Port Qasim’s May 2026 discharge of about 210,250 cubic metres of LNG from the Al Kharaitiyat; Karachi Port Trust’s throughput above 2.65 million TEU in FY2025-26; and Gwadar’s first bunkering in July 2026 with 2,500 tonnes of very-low-sulphur fuel oil to the ENUGU. For Gwadar under CPEC, the essay stresses that cargo, rail/road links and a local industrial base are still needed, with success measured by foreign exchange and jobs.