GWADAR: Pakistan and Oman are moving towards establishing Gwadar Port and Oman’s Sohar Port as sister ports, potentially creating a more direct maritime trade connection between Pakistan, the Gulf and markets further into Central Asia.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor Ul Haq Baloch and Oman’s Consul General Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjari. Officials examined ways of increasing shipping, cargo movement, logistics cooperation and investment between the two countries.
A direct Gwadar–Sohar route could provide another maritime outlet linking the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with Gulf and Central Asian markets. Pakistani and Omani officials believe the arrangement could shorten transit times and encourage investment in Gwadar’s Free Zone, including logistics, warehousing and fisheries projects.
The discussions went beyond shipping. The two sides also considered introducing direct SalamAir flights between Oman and Gwadar International Airport, while exploring cooperation in port management, dredging, digital port systems and staff training. They intend to work through their respective ministries towards finalising a memorandum of understanding in the coming weeks.
For Pakistan, the plan is particularly significant because Gwadar has long been envisioned as a regional connectivity hub but has yet to reach its full commercial potential. A regular link with Sohar — one of Oman’s important industrial and logistics ports — could give that strategy a more concrete commercial dimension.