Pakistan has officially launched its first-ever National Dredging and Marine Services (NDMS) company, a groundbreaking move set to transform the country’s maritime capabilities and port infrastructure. The initiative is backed by a strategic alliance between key stakeholders, including the Port Qasim Authority, Karachi Port Trust, Gwadar Port Authority, and the National Logistics Corporation (NLC).
This newly established, state-supported entity will offer Pakistan a much-needed in-house solution for dredging and marine services an area that has long been dependent on costly foreign contractors and infrequent service cycles.
Ending Dependence on Foreign Dredging Contractors
For decades, Pakistan’s seaports have relied on international firms for capital and maintenance dredging, resulting in delayed operations and increased financial burdens. By launching the NDMS company, Pakistan aims to not only reduce its annual expenditures on foreign service providers but also build strategic autonomy in managing its maritime assets.
This marks a shift toward self-sufficiency in port operations, particularly in high-traffic areas such as Port Qasim, Karachi Port, and Gwadar all of which are crucial to Pakistan’s economic and trade corridors.
The NDMS is scheduled to begin its first operational phase at Port Qasim in October 2025, focusing on capital dredging. Port Qasim is one of Pakistan’s busiest deep-sea ports and serves as a major node in the country’s import-export ecosystem.
With locally controlled dredging capacity, the port will be able to maintain safe and efficient navigation channels year-round, avoiding the costly delays and navigational hazards caused by sediment buildup.
