On November 25, 2025, Pakistan and Malaysia convened to discuss a new initiative aimed at expanding maritime training and enhancing collaboration within the port sector. This meeting, held in the United Kingdom, featured Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Datuk Hasbi bin Habibollah, and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. Their discussions focused on a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that seeks to improve seafarer training, facilitate the exchange of marine cadets, and promote operational cooperation along significant trade routes.
Minister Chaudhry suggested establishing an MoU that would enable the exchange of marine cadets between the two nations. This initiative would not only facilitate specialized training opportunities—allowing Pakistani cadets to attend academies in Malaysia while Malaysian cadets would undergo training in Pakistan—but also foster long-term collaboration in the maritime sector. Emphasizing the importance of this exchange, Chaudhry noted that it would significantly contribute to the professional development of young seafarers in both countries.
Moreover, the Pakistani minister highlighted Pakistan’s capabilities in digital port solutions, particularly the Pakistan Single Window platform, which is operational at Karachi Port and Port Qasim. He proposed that Malaysia leverage this expertise to enhance its operational efficiency. The platform is designed to streamline cargo clearance processes, improve transparency, and aid overall trade facilitation, making it a valuable model for logistics optimization.
In addition to training and technological advancements, Chaudhry advocated for deeper operational cooperation regarding trade routes. He proposed the establishment of direct feeder shipping lines between Pakistan and Malaysia, with further connectivity to Indonesia. Such initiatives could potentially increase Pakistan’s rice exports to Southeast Asia while facilitating the import of edible oil from Malaysia and Indonesia. This aligns with Pakistan’s broader strategy to enhance maritime connectivity with ASEAN economies.
For Malaysia, this initiative is an opportunity to broaden its maritime training framework and strengthen regional logistics integration within its transport sector modernization efforts. Both countries agreed to conduct further technical consultations to finalize the MoU, define specific training modules, and establish implementation mechanisms for the cadet exchange program.
Overall, this collaboration between Pakistan and Malaysia represents a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties in the maritime domain, with potential benefits for trade, professional training, and regional integration. The upcoming discussions will refine the details of this partnership, paving the way for a more collaborative future within the maritime sector.
