KARACHI, Oct 15 : The World Maritime Day 2025 was celebrated under the theme of ‘Our oceans, our obligation, our opportunity’ on Wednesday with emphasis on strengthening cooperation and fostering partnerships among all the stakeholders to ensure sustainable development, environmental protection and promotion of blue economy for progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
To commemorate the WMD 2025, a day-long seminar and celebrations were organized by The Nautical Institute, Pakistan in collaboration with the Institute of Shipbrokers Pakistan, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Pakistan Merchant Navy Officers Association at Karachi. 
The Commander Karachi Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi graced the occasion as chief guest, while senior officers of Pakistan Navy, Merchant Navy, Port Authorities, diplomats, academicians, representatives of maritime organizations and agencies attended the event.
Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi, speaking at the occasion, emphasized that theme of the WMD 2025 remind us of interlinked truths that oceans is ours and the sea is intrinsic to life, trade, climate and biodiversity and the sustenance of nations. Therefore, we have an obligation to protect, regulate and preserve the marine environment for ourselves and our future generations.
He highlighted the opportunities for economic growth, sustainable development, innovation and collaborative prosperity and urged on unison of all the stakeholders for blue future as most of the Pakistan’s international trade depends on the sea which also serves as a source of food, livelihood, climate regulation and a frontier for further sustainable development.
To realize the vast potential of blue economy, he suggested to invest in marine infrastructure, ports, shipyards, forward chains, modern warehouses, logistics, maintenance and connectivity, encourage shipping growth through a modern budget fleet, along with applying incentives, partnerships and competitiveness and promotion of clean technologies, low-carbon fuels, emission control, green shipping solutions and compliance with global maritime environmental standards.
The Vice Admiral also stressed the significance of research and innovation in marine sciences, and forging partnerships among Navy, industry, academia, government, as well as with IMO and regional neighbors. “Through these steps, our obligation to care for the ocean becomes our opportunity to generate more jobs and accelerate sustainable growth,” he maintained.
Underscoring the role of the Pakistan Navy in safeguarding country’s maritime zones and sea lines of communication through surveillance, deterrence and rapid response, the Commander Karachi stated that the Navy creates the maritime security umbrella under which our sea lines of communication continue to function uninterruptedly and it will continue to stand as the sentinels of our seas.
He also lauded the vital role of Merchant Navy in connecting markets, facilitating investment, enabling economic resilience.
“Together we should transform obligation into opportunity, challenges into progress and seas into the foundation of Pakistan’s blue economy,” he concluded.
Managing Director Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works, Rear Admiral Salman Ilyas, in his address, highlighted the performance of KSEW, ship building initiatives, diversification of operations, installation of efficient and modern equipment and training of youth in collaboration with NAVTTC.
The Director General Press Information Department Karachi, Irum Tanvir, shed light on progress and potential of Pakistan in the maritime sector and remarked that Karachi ports are driving the maritime sector of the country. She informed that Pakistan is set to host the milestone event ‘Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference 2025’ from November 3 to 6 at the Expo Center Karachi.
Video messages from Secretary General International Maritime Organization Arsenio Domingues, CEO TNI UK Capt. John Lloyd, Chairman International Chartered Shipbrokers UK Luis Bernet, Chief Executive ISWAN Simon Grainge were also screened at the occasion who felicitated the maritime community on the World Maritime Day celebrations and urged on collective measures for sustainability of maritime operations for a successful future.
The vice president of The Nautical Institute UK, Captain Nish Wijayakulathilaka, spoke on the role of TNI UK in development of the global maritime sector and bolstering cooperation and coordination among all the stakeholders and members across the world.
Cap. Ali Asghar Khan, Abdul Lateef Siddiqui, Capt. Muhammad Khursheed Khalid, Zohaib Naveed and others also addressed the inaugural session of the seminar while souvenirs were presented to the distinguished guests at the occasion.
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