Pakistan and Belgium have agreed to strengthen cooperation between their maritime institutions, including training and student exchange programmes aimed at supporting the development of their blue economies.
The understanding emerged during a meeting between Belgian Ambassador Idesbald Van der Gracht and Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. The discussions covered maritime education, institutional partnerships, port development and broader opportunities in the blue economy.
Maritime Education Takes Centre Stage
Junaid Anwar Chaudhry told the ambassador that the Pakistan Marine Academy was being upgraded into a degree-awarding institution, with most groundwork for the transition already completed.
He said Pakistani students could benefit from training and academic opportunities at Belgian maritime institutions. A proposed exchange programme would allow students from both countries to gain technical expertise and share institutional experience.
The minister said greater cooperation between maritime institutions could help Pakistan and Belgium strengthen skills, knowledge and innovation across their respective marine sectors.
Pakistan Highlights Port Expansion Plans
The talks also focused on Pakistan’s plans to expand and modernise its ports while increasing transshipment activity. At Port Qasim, projects include a multipurpose terminal, an automobile zone and a garment zone linked to a planned industrial park.
Pakistan also plans an energy city offering storage facilities for white oil, crude oil and LPG. Meanwhile, Karachi Port Trust is continuing work on on-dock and off-dock terminal facilities.
On regional connectivity, the minister said Pakistan wanted to connect Gwadar Port with Central Asian countries to expand trade and transit opportunities.
He added that Pakistan’s strategic location and growing maritime infrastructure could create partnerships in shipping, logistics, port services and maritime education.
Both sides agreed to pursue concrete areas of institutional cooperation and strengthen engagement between their maritime sectors.
