The board of directors of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) has approved the procurement of three additional ships at a cost of $193 million to add to the national fleet.
The minister for maritime affairs has given directives to ensure the procurement of vessels by 2026.
The PNSC board is targeting to expand the fleet to 30 ships in 2026 by purchasing more vessels.
In a statement, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs said that PNSC had accelerated the procurement process following directions from has announced the launch of its of new vessels.
“PNSC has moved to fast-track its vessel procurement process following directions from Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, as part of efforts to expand the national fleet to 30 ships by 2026,” it said.
During a briefing on Friday, the PNSC management informed the minister that the corporation’s fleet expansion plan was progressing steadily, with key procurement nearing completion stages.
Officials said the PNSC board had earlier approved the purchase of three secondhand A framax and MR-2- class oil tankers, and evaluation and due diligence had been completed in accordance with public procurement regulations.
In its most recent session, the board approved the acquisition of three vessels – MT Lorex, which would be renamed MT Karachi, at a cost of $74.5 million, MT Nafsika, to be renamed MT Lahore, also for $74.5 million and MT Stavanger Poseidon, to be renamed MT Quetta, for $44.15 million.
The first two are Aframax tankers, while the third is an MR-2-class vessel.
The PNSC management is now in the final phase of negotiations with vessel owners.
Legal and commercial formalities are expected to conclude soon, after which contracts will be signed.
Delivery of the three tankers is scheduled for late December 2025.
In parallel, PNSC has initiated the procurement process for 12 aditional vessels by issuing teners for four LR-2, four MR-2 and four MR-1-class ships.
It is currently reviewing bids and con ducting technical evaluation as part of the broader fleet enhancement programme.
The maritime affairs minister reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the maritime logistics capacity and emphasised that the accelerated procurement process would help the country expand its shipping footprint and reduce reliance on foreign carriers for energy and cargo transportation.
So far, PNSC, the country’s national flag carrier, has expanded its fleet from 10 to 12 vessels with the addition of two Aframax-class tankers – Swan Lake and PAliki.
The maritime ministry has emphasised PNSC’s vital role in transporting crude oil and petroleum products, noting Aframax tankers, ranging from 80,000 to 120,000 deadweight tonnes, are favoured globally for their ability to access ports inaccessible to large and very large crude carriers.
This expansion is expected to boost Pakistan’s capacity to efficiently handle rising energy imports.
Currently, freight payments to foreign carriers cost Pakistan an estimated $4.6 billion annually.
By carrying more cargo on its own vessels, PNSC aims to save significant foreign exchange, increase revenue and bolster energy security.
Demand for air cargo increased by 4.1% worldwide
Global air cargo demand rose 4.1 percent year-on-year in August marking the sixth consecutive month of growth, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The increase was driven by modal shifts from sea to air and trade route diversions away from North America, reported London’s Air Cargo News.
Capacity rose 3.7 percent compared to August 2024, lifting the load factor by 0.2 percentage points to 44.2 percent.
IATA said cargo demand remains resilient despite global economic challenges.
Director General Willie Walsh said shippers are shifting high- value goods to air to avoid tariff risks, fuelling growth on Europe- Asia, Within Asia, Africa-Asia and Middle East-Asia lanes.
The global goods trade rose 5.4 percent in July, while manufacturing optimism rebounded in August with a PMI of 51.75.
However, export order sentiment remained cautious at 48.73.
Jet fuel prices in August were 6.4 percent lower year-on-year, continuing a 14-month decline and offering cost relief to carriers.
African airlines led regional growth with an 11 percent rise in demand and a 12.3 percent increase in capacity.
Asia Pacific carriers followed with 9.8 percent demand growth and 6.9 percent more capacity.
European carriers posted a 3.2 percent demand increase, Middle Eastern carriers rose 2.7 percent, and Latin American carriers gained 2.1 percent.
North American carriers saw a 2.1 percent decline in demand and a 1 percent drop in capacity.
Trade corridors showed mixed performance.
Europe-Asia and Within Asia posted strong double-digit growth, while Middle East-Asia, North America-Europe and Africa-Asia saw notable gains.
Asia-North America, Middle East-Europe and Within Europe recorded declines.
CMA CGM steers through disruption with US$20 billion pledge
CMA CGM, the world’s second-largest container shipping group, is weathering global trade tensions and port fees with steady growth and major including, SS20 billion commitment to the US maritime and logistics sectors, reports London’s Riviera Maritime Media.
The Marseille-based liner has expanded its fleet to 5.42 million TEU, trailing only MSC’s 5.98 million TEU, and overtaking Maersk.
Its growth includes dual-fuelled newbuilds and second-hand acquisitions.
In Q2 2025, chairman and chief executive Rodolphe Saade led the group through a series of initiatives, notably a $20 billion investment in the US.
CMA CGM already employs 15,000 people in the country and moves more government cargo than any other logistics firm.
The investment will expand the US-flagged fleet, increase port capacity on both coasts, build nationwide warehouses, and establish an air cargo hub in Chicago.
The company owns American President Lines, which supports US defence logistics.
Ports targeted for upgrades include New York, Los Angeles, Dutch Harbor, Houston and Miami.
Chicago airport will host five new Boeing 777 freighters operated by American pilots.
Despite global instability, CMA CGM continued investing in Q2, including a $2.6 billion order for 12 LNG-fuelled 18,000-TEU ships.
Other moves included a logistics operation in Lyon, a deep-water terminal in Hai Phong, a stake in Egypt’s October platform, and control of Santo Brasil.
The group is also preparing its 23,000-TEU fleet for emethane with bow shields, aiming for emissions-free operations by 2050.
Diversification has helped CMA CGM manage tariff shocks.
Mr Saade said the strategy across terminals, logistics and air freight enabled rapid global solutions.
Financially, Q2 2025 saw revenue rise 0.3 percent to US$13.16 billion, while ebitda fell eight percent to $2.8 billion amid geopolitical strife and regional warfare.
Logistics revenue reached $4.6 billion with ebitda up two percent to US$459 million, driven by strong contracted logistics.
Margins neared 10 percent.
Revenue from other activities, including port terminals, air cargo and CMA Media, surged 63 percent to US$1 billion.
Ebitda rose nearly fivefold to US$240 million, with a margin of 23 percent.
Asyad Shipping invests US$209 million in dry bulk fleet
Oman’s Asyad Shipping Company has announced a US$209 million investment in three Newcastlemax dry bulk carriers as part of its fleet expansion strategy, reported Zawya.
The agreement, signed on 25 September 2025, was disclosed to three the Muscat Stock Exchange.
Delivery of the vessels is expected in the first quarter of 2026, with market updates to follow upon handover.
Chief executive Ibrahim Al Nadhairi said the investment strengthens Asyad’s dry bulk capacity and supports its broader growth strategy to meet rising global demand.
Each vessel will have a capacity of 208,000 deadweight tonnes and be equipped with an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System and Ballast Water Treatment System.
The ships also feature energy-efficient hulls and optimised engines to meet IMO environmental standards.
Asyad Shipping reaffirmed its commitment to strategic capital expenditure, aiming to deliver sustainable returns for shareholders and stakeholders.
Separately, the company signed a 10-year contract of affreightment with a global mining firm through its commercial arm, Oman Charter Company.
The deal was signed on 22 September and will take effect in Q2 2026.
Dr Al Nadhairi said the agreement complements existing customer relationships and enhances Asyad’s ability to offer competitive global shipping solutions.
Danaos adds US$304 million in revenue, orders 2 more
Danaos Corporation has boosted its contracted revenue backlog by US$304 million and ordered two new containerships, according to a company statement, reported Michigan’s Street Insider.
The increase includes US$164 million from forward charter fixtures for four existing vessels and US$140 million from fixtures for the two new buildings, each with five- year charter terms.
The new 7,165 TEU vessels will be built at Dalian Shanhaiguan shipyard in China and are scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2027.
They will be methanol fuel ready and fitted with scrubbers and Alternative Maritime Power units, meeting IMO Tier III standards.
Danaos’ total contracted cash operating revenues now stand at $3.6 billion, with an average remaining charter duration of 3.9 years.
The fleet has nearly full charter coverage for 2025 and 90 percent for 2026.
The company now has 18 container vessels under construction with a combined capacity of 148,564 TEU, bringing its total proforma containership capacity to 620,041 TEU.
Deliveries include one vessel in 2025, three in 2026, 12 in 2027 and two in 2028.
With this new order, Danaos continues to solidify its position as one of the major players in the global containership market,” said CEO John Coustas.
The Athens-based firm operates 74 container vessels totalling 471,477 TEU and recently acquired 10 capesize dry bulk vessels.
ONE launches new service to Pakistan
Ocean Network Express (ONE) has announced the launch of its new Pakistan Gulf Service (PGS).
This service is designed to provide enhanced connectivity between Pakistan and the Middle East and meet the increased demand between the two.
The service’s rotation is as follows:
Route: Jebel Ali-Abu Dhabi -Sohar Karachi-Port Qasim Sohar-Jebel Ali the service is set to be commenced by the MV GFS GENESIS 001E – from Jebel Ali on 18 October.
5 Earlier this week, Kramer Rotterdam (QTKR) and ONE reduced emission by as much as 500 tonnes of CO2 in just six months by implementing a biofuel scheme using HV0100.
DP World invests $288 million in Uzbekistan logistics hub
DP World has partnered with Tashkent Invest, a subsidiary of the Tashkent City Administration, to develop and operate a new multimodal logistics terminal near Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The project, located in the Yangi Avlod Special Industrial Zone in the Yangihayot district, is aimed at strengthening Uzbekistan’s logistics capacity and supporting its ambitions to become a regional trade hub.
Under the agreement, DP World will hold an 85 percent stake in the joint venture-DP World Tashkent LLC-while Tashkent Invest will hold 15 percent.
The terminal will be developed over three phases with a total investment exceeding $288 million.
The facility will span approximately 82 hectares and include a rail-connected dry port for containers and general cargo, customs zones, vehicle storage, truck parking, and cross-docking and warehouse facilities.
Phase one, expected by 2026- 2027, includes a 150,000 TEU/year rail terminal and 63,000 square (sqm) of warehouse space.
An additional 163,000 sqm is planned in later phases based on demand.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “The Tashkent Multimodal Logistics Terminal will bring world-class infrastructure and smart logistics capabilities to the region, improving the efficiency of supply chains and supporting businesses across industries.”
Shavkat Umurzakov, Mayor of Tashkent, added: “The agreement initiates the development of a transport and logistics hub, which will significantly increase the capital’s production and potential.
“The partnership with DP World, a recognised global expert in logistics and port management, will provide an opportunity to introduce modern technologies in Tashkent and attract large investors.
With its world-class infrastructure, Tashkent will become even more convenient for both local and global businesses.”
The terminal will serve as a key regional link between Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, integrating with DP World’s wider logistics network.