November 7, 2022
Islamabad (EA Report)
Given the immense potential in the sector to expand and uplift national economy, Pakistan needs immediate updating of her maritime policy and vision to cope with challenges as the blue economy can help the country come out of the economic struggles.
This was the consensus of experts while addressing the Webinar titled “New Technology for Greener Shipping” organized by National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) in Islamabad, following the launching ceremony of the special edition of “Economic Affairs” magazine on World Maritime Theme Day 2022.
Vice Admiral (R) Abdul Aleem said Pakistan had unparallel resources in marine life, but unfortunately the country was lagging behind developed countries due to lack of technology, comprehensive maritime policy and vision. He emphasized the various stakeholders to not forsake the sector as the maritime geopolitical and strategic position of Pakistan, along with the country’s dependence on its maritime trade and resources is critical.
“We have not given enough importance to the shipping industry as Pakistan had 70 ships five decades ago, that reduced to merely 13 ships in 2022 which covers only ten percent seaborne trade of the country,” he added.
He said that Pakistan had over 1,000 kilometers (km) long coastline which could attract thousands of tourists and become a tourism magnet of the region like Maldives with shining gold like sand dunes and unique coral reefs that were of exotic nature.
Director NIMA Islamabad, Cdre (Retd) Bilal Abdul Nasir SI(M) apprised the audience about the organization’s contributions in raising maritime awareness as a premier maritime think tank of Pakistan.
The Keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Azhar Ahmed underlined the potential of traditional and contemporary social media in promoting maritime awareness. He commended the initiative of the Economic Affairs magazine in collaborating with NIMA to highlight pertinent issues such as greener shipping and celebrating World Maritime Day by dedicating a special issue on the subject.
Prof. Bahria University Azhar Ahmad said that media should play its role to highlight the importance and challenges of blue economy as Pakistan had immense resources in the sector which were still untapped demanding exploration.
Highlighting the impediments of blue economy in Pakistan, he said sea blindness was a common phenomenon in developing nation including Pakistan as the sector had been neglected in the country due to land oriented mindset and understanding of the actual potential.
Former Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had major connection with Pakistani marine life as the country carried out 91% of its trade through sea. Therefore, it was high time to hold conferences, media campaigns, road shows and academic activities to underscore the potential of blue economy in the country.
“Our interest in maritime industry has reduced over the years due to strings of reason, but institutes like NIMA are playing instrumental and remarkable role to revive one of the game changer agents of Pakistan’s economy,” she added.
Chief Executive Officer, Engro Vopak Ismail Mahmud on the occasion briefed the forum that Engro terminals were working on the “Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration project” to conserve the lifesaving forests of the coasts around the delta area surrounding Port Qasim Karachi.
On the community intervention front, he said the Engro developed a sustainable coasts program in partnership with WWF-Pakistan and was actively engaging the local fishermen in the vicinity of its Terminal at Port Qasim.
In 2021, there were about 450 beneficiaries near Ibrahim Hyderi and the Terminal vicinity, where they were given longline fishing gears, toolkits and trainings by WWF experts on sustainable livelihood practices in fishing.
General Manager FOTCO, Adnan Samdani said that sustainable operations at FOTCO were being carried out through Oil Spill Contingency – through stringent SOPs and oil spill boom that used to prevent marine pollution, mangroves plantation to protect marine environment, decarbonization through reduction in vehicle movement within premises, restricted use of diesel generators and renewable energy solutions along with sustainable waste management through minimizing solid waste.
Mr. Ismail Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer, Engro Vopak & Elengy Terminals Ltd. delved into the necessity of modernizing the current practices and tools with digitalization and automation by presenting their facility as a model for efficient, sustainable, and economically viable maritime trade.
Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz, Correspondent for Economic Affairs magazine reaffirmed the importance of the maritime sector and its significance for Pakistan. He congratulated NIMA and the Economic Affairs magazine for the intellectual collaboration to spread awareness on maritime issues and challenges faced by the country.
Ambassador Mrs. Naghmana Hashmi referred to sea blindness and lack of focus on maritime issues among the public as ‘central cataract’. The need for roadshows for awareness, maritime entrepreneurship, and the role of media was reiterated. She called for increased awareness throughout the nation about pertinent topics such as the IOR and CPEC, in liaison with other seafaring nations.
Mr. Adnan Samdani, General Manager, FOTCO apprised about the efforts to make their terminal greener and safer for operations, while conserving the associated marine ecosystems i.e., mangroves. He emphasized the country’s vast dependence on imported petroleum and called for the need to provide terminal operators with essential technology and resources to transform their facilities that are in compliance with greener technology and a larger vision of UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Mr. Ismail Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer, Engro Vopak & Elengy Terminals Ltd. delved into the necessity of modernizing the current practices and tools with digitalization and automation by presenting their facility as a model for efficient, sustainable, and economically viable maritime trade.
Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz, Correspondent for Economic Affairs magazine reaffirmed the importance of the maritime sector and its significance for Pakistan. He congratulated NIMA and the Economic Affairs magazine for the intellectual collaboration to spread awareness on maritime issues and challenges faced by the country.
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