First cargo shipment sets off from Gwadar Port under Navy protection

KARACHI: Subsequent to formal inauguration of Gwadar Port, the first cargo shipment set off from Gwadar Port under the protection of Pakistan Navy ships.

The pilot project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) successfully kicked off when the first ever cargo containers arrived from Kashgar to Gwadar.

The cargo containers were later exported to Middle East and African countries through MV COSCO WILLINGTON and MV AL HUSSEIN, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said.

ISPR said Pakistan Navy, being cognizant of its responsibility to make the maritime component of CPEC and Gwadar Port safe, deployed its ships and aircraft to provide security cover so as to ensure safe and secure transit of MV COSCO WILLINGTON and MV AL HUSSEIN in international waters.

The CPEC project with investment of worth US$ 46 billion and Gwadar Port as its lynchpin is a game changer and manifestation of strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, it added.

Pakistan Navy is according high priority to the security of maritime components of CPEC i.e, Gwadar Port, its approaches and the sea lanes leading to and from the port. The success of the CPEC and the Gwadar Port project is linked to the safe and secure maritime environment in the Indian Ocean region in general and in the Arabian Sea in particular, the ISPR statement said.

“With the operationalisation of Gwadar port, the maritime traffic to/from Pakistani ports is expected to increase manifold. Therefore, while providing security to CPEC on land, maritime prong security is considered vital for overall success of the project,” it added.

According to ISPR, Pakistan Navy has adopted a multipronged approach to deal with the prevailing challenges such as beefing up security of Gwadar Port, conducting security patrols and coastal exercises, enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness and engaging other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).

In this context, Pakistan Navy remains fully committed and geared up to provide conducive maritime environment for uninterrupted flow of the maritime trade in our Exclusive Economic Zone.