In response to the ongoing stress in the global supply chain Pakistan's Federal Minister of Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi said the country is in negotiations "through a public private mechanism to create joint ventures to expand into container shipping", according to a Reuters report.
With a coastline of over 1000 kms and three major ports, Pakistan is strategically located with a two-day sailing time to major ports in the Middle East and Africa.
"The supply chain problems are faced by everyone and Pakistan is also affected. There are issues everywhere and this is one of the ways we are trying to deal with this longer term," Mr Zaidi said on a visit to London.
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State-owned Pakistan National Shipping Corporation currently has a fleet of 11 ships and has issued a tender for another four ships, Zaidi added.
Pakistan plans at first to charter space on container ships and test the market before deciding how many container ships it would acquire.
Pakistan is planning to develop itself as a port hub for land-locked central asian neighbours, particularly Afghanistan.
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