KARACHI: National Dredging and Marine Services (NDMS) has formally started dredging operations at Port Qasim, marking a major step toward developing Pakistan’s indigenous capacity for port maintenance and maritime infrastructure.

The launch is significant for Pakistan’s ports, where capital dredging has not been carried out since 1980 due to the absence of local dredging capability. Officials say the move is expected to help maintain navigational depth, support larger vessels and reduce dependence on foreign dredging contractors.

Dredging is considered essential for efficient port operations because it keeps shipping channels deep enough for vessels to move safely. In Pakistan, the lack of domestic dredging services had forced ports to outsource such work to foreign companies, resulting in the outflow of foreign exchange.

The federal government recently decided to establish NDMS as a national dredging company. The initiative brings together the National Logistics Corporation, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority and Gwadar Port Authority in a joint effort to strengthen Pakistan’s maritime services and institutional capacity.

A launching ceremony for the dredging operations was held at Port Qasim. Chairman Port Qasim Authority Rear Admiral Syed Moazzam Ilyas (Retd) attended as chief guest, while the chairman of Karachi Port Trust, senior officials of port terminals and representatives of Pakistan Customs were also present.

Officials said the development of local dredging capability is an important milestone for Pakistan’s blue economy. By reducing reliance on international contractors, NDMS is expected to help save foreign exchange and improve self-reliance in a critical area of port operations.

The dredging work at Port Qasim is aimed at ensuring optimal navigational depth and uninterrupted port functionality through modern and internationally compliant dredging solutions.

Improved dredging capacity is also expected to support port expansion and help Pakistan accommodate larger vessels in the future. Officials believe this could strengthen import and export activity by improving the operational capacity of the country’s ports.

NDMS also plans to expand its dredging services to international ports in the future, according to officials.