ISLAMABAD, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Tuesday that the country has kicked off an initiative to expand and modernize national shipping fleet as part of efforts to strengthen maritime infrastructure of the South Asian country.
"This initiative reflects our broader vision to modernize the maritime sector, boost operational efficiency, and introduce advanced technologies across all institutions," the minister said while chairing a high-level meeting here.
He said that the initiative was designed not only to cut sea freight bills and conserve foreign exchange, but also to support climate-smart maritime practices by strengthening a cleaner, more efficient domestic fleet.
Chaudhry said that the expansion and modernization will focus on incorporating greener technologies and energy-efficient vessels into the state-owned fleet. ■