Maersk reaffirms $2bn port investment in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Global shipping giant Maersk has reaffirmed its $2 billion investment plan for Pakistan, signaling one of the country’s most significant prospective boosts to port and logistics infrastructure in recent years.

The investment centers on developing a new port at Gadani, Balochistan, alongside a modern shipping terminal and expanded warehousing and supply chain facilities. The initiative is designed to strengthen Pakistan’s maritime capacity and enhance regional trade connectivity.

The plan builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2024 between Pakistan and Denmark, under which Maersk committed to explore major investments in port modernization, integrated logistics hubs, maritime workforce development, sustainable ship recycling and greenshipping practices. Officials say these areas align with Pakistan’s broader goals of improving trade efficiency and meeting global environmental standards.

The reaffirmation came during a high-level meeting between a visiting delegation from APM Terminals, a Maersk subsidiary, and Federal Minister for the Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh. The delegation briefed the minister on the project’s progress and future expansion components.

Sheikh said the government was committed to fully facilitating international investors, noting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Finance Ministry remain aligned on efforts to draw long-term foreign investment. He added that the Board of Investment is working to streamline procedures and reinforce policy support to accelerate major projects.

Describing the potential investment as “transformative” for Pakistan’s maritime sector, Sheikh said Gadani’s strategic location offers the most efficient route for transit trade with Central Asia, positioning Pakistan to become a more competitive regional logistics hub.