ISLAMABAD: A six-member delegation from a Chinese construction company held a meeting with Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s maritime and infrastructure sectors, with focus on ad- dressing water scarcity through desalination.
According to a statement, the minister welcomed Chinese interest in Pakistan’s development and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in strategic sectors.
He highlighted the vast potential in Pakistan’s maritime domain, including opportunities in port development, maritime tourism and the blue economy.
“Pakistan’s coastline is home to critical assets like Port Qasim, Karachi Port, and Gwadar Port. Upgrading infrastructure and initiating new projects is essential for unlocking their full economic potential,” the minister said, assuring the visiting delegation of the government’s full support for viable proposals.
A key item on the agenda was the installation of seawater desalination plants at Port Qasim. The Chinese delegation expressed interest in investing in water treatment facilities that could serve both industrial and residential needs in the areas where water scarcity is a pressing issue.
These proposed desalination projects could provide much- needed clean water and support local industry,” the minister said, adding that the initiative aligns with Pakistan’s environmental sustainability and climate resilience goals
Wang Yaodong, who led the delegation, emphasised his company’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s sustainable infrastructure development. “We are ready to bring advanced technology and investment to projects that improve daily life and drive economic growth. Desalination is one such area where we can make a tangible difference,” Wang stated.
The delegation also showed interest in highway development projects aimed at improving connectivity between ports and economic zones.
Improved road infrastructure, both parties agreed, would enhance trade efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
Junaid Chaudhry, the federal minister for maritime affairs, invited the delegation to visit the country’s coastal areas for a closer look at on-ground opportunities and encouraged their participation. in upcoming maritime investment forums
The two sides resolved to continue dialogue, conduct feasibility studies, and identify high-impact projects for future collaboration. Both sides expressed optimism that this engagement would lay the foundation for long-term, strategic partnerships across key sectors.
NYK Group announces companies’ merger
NYK Line has announced that three shipping and ship-management companies within the NYK Group will merge as part of a strategic business integration.
The three within the NYK Group are Asahi Shipping Co., Ltd., Hachiuma Steamship Co. Ltd. und Mitsubishi Ore Transport Co. Ltd.
As NYK Group companies, each of the three entities scheduled for integration has been developing its business by leveraging its specific strengths within its specialised business domain.
Through this merger, we aim to further enhance our competitiveness in ship management, as well as in ship ownership and operations, by consolidating similar business functions and strengthening common ship-management capabilities,” reported NYK Line in a statement.
Last month, the Port of Hueneme and NYK Line signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Green Auto- motive Shipping Corridor between Japan and Southern California.
Transnet Durban breaks record handling 200,000 TEU
STATE-OWNED South African transport giant has handled more than 200 000 TEU in a single financial year at the Durban Multipurpose Terminal (MPT) in FY 2024/ 2025, reported Kimberley’s Diamond Fields Advertiser.
This record target underscored the organisation’s commitment to enhancing trade capacity and efficiency, driven by a combination of increased trade volumes, improved operational capabilities, and strategic resource allocation.
The previous volume record at the terminal was in the 2020/2021 financial year, with 182,198 TEU.
Jabu Mdaki, managing executive of Transnet Port Terminals, said that this is a momentous milestone for Transnet given the challenges experienced in 2023 “We had a crisis in Durban, and we faced challenges of vessel backlog and truck congestion. We would also like to thank the shipping lines for their buy-in. They allowed us to divert some of the columns to the MPT, and that al- lowed us to reduce congestion,” Mr Mdaki said.
Adani's Colombo terminal opens this month
ADANI Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has commenced operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) in the Port of Colombo, reports London’s Port Technology International.
Developed under a landmark public-private partnership, CWIT is operated by a consortium comprising APSEZ, Sri Lankan con- glomerate John Keells Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, under a 35-year build, operate, and transfer (BOT) agreement.
The CWIT project represents a significant investment of US$800 million and features a 1,400-metre quay enabling the terminal to handle 3.2 million TEU annually.
This is reportedly the first deep-water terminal in Colombo to be fully automated, designed to enhance cargo handling capabilities, improve vessel turnaround times and elevate the port’s status as a key transshipment hub in South Asia.
Construction began in early ST 2022 and has since achieved rapid progress. With the installation of infrastructure now nearing completion, CWIT is poised to set new benchmarks in operational efficiency and reliability in regional maritime logistics.
“The commencement of operations at CWIT marks a momentous milestone in regional cooperation between India and Sri Lanka,” said Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group.
Shenzhen aims for 33 million TEU volume by 2025
SHENZHEN will focus on enhancing container transportation services across key port areas including Yantian, Nanshan, and Dachan Bay, reports UK’s Seatrade Maritime News.
The city plans to accelerate the expansion of container terminal facilities, with major projects underway such as the development of the eastern port area at Yantian, the preliminary phase of the second container terminal at Dachan Bay, and the shipping channel project in the western port area.
In parallel, Shenzhen aims to strengthen its liquefied natural gas (LNG) service capabilities, targeting a receiving capacity of 16 million tons by 2025.
To support this goal, the city will consolidate LNG transportation resources and develop a dedicated local LNG carrier fleet.
This initiative is designed to meet growing demand from both international and domestic LNG transport markets, as well as the emerging LNG bunkering sector.
AD Ports hosts first STS LNG bunkering at Khalifa Port
AD Ports Group (AD Ports) has hosted its first ship-to-ship (STS) liquified natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation at its flagship deep-water Khalifa Port.
AD Ports reported that the STS bunkering was part of a simultaneous operation, in which the container vessel MSC Thais, berthed at Abu Dhabi Terminals, received LNG fuel from the dedicated LNG bunker vessel Green Zeebrugge, supplied by marine fuels provider Monjasa.
The operation demonstrated the concurrent transfer of LNG and cargo, whilst facilitating access to lower carbon fuels, which support both the industry and global environmental objectives.
Liquified natural gas offers reduced GHG emissions and significantly less sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter emissions compared to traditional marine fuels.
The partners will continue expanding LNG bunkering services across the Group’s commercial ports in Abu Dhabi, including cruise vessels at Zayed Port, while offering a comprehensive fuel portfolio that includes Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Marine Gas Oil (MGO), and High-Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO).
The STS operation was executed in accordance with inter- national practices and regulatory standards, including LNG bunkering protocols and guidelines set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO)
Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability Officer at AD Ports Group, said: “By adhering to the highest safety and environmental standards, AD Ports Group and Monjasa are ensuring that shipowners have reliable access to a diversified fuel mix that supports their decarbonisation objectives.”
Last week, the group announced the signing of a 10-year lease agreement with TW Steel to deliver innovative containerised fabrication solutions, container maintenance and repair services at Khalifa Port.