ISLAMABAD, November 6, 2026: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on Friday that the online ship and boat registration system has become operational, allowing vessel owners to submit registration applications electronically without visiting government offices.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the minister said the ship and boat registration modules were now fully accessible for online applications following the completion of the necessary procedures.
He said the initiative would modernise maritime administration by reducing paperwork, saving applicants time and money, improving transparency and maintaining an updated national database of registered vessels.
The Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), operating under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, is responsible for registering merchant ships, fishing boats, vessels and harbour craft under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance and relevant regulations.
The minister said the government was also working to introduce online payment facilities to further simplify the registration process.
A meeting between officials of the MMD and the State Bank of Pakistan has been scheduled to discuss integrating electronic payment mechanisms into the system.
Chaudhry said the online payment facility was expected to become operational within the next 15 days, enabling applicants to pay registration fees electronically through a single payment link.
He also highlighted the potential benefits of digital vessel registration for climate resilience in coastal communities.
According to the minister, a centralised database of fishing vessels and their owners could support climate risk mapping, cyclone early warning systems and fisheries management.
When linked with these systems, the database could help authorities identify vulnerable fishing communities, improve emergency responses and facilitate timely evacuations during extreme weather events.
The minister said the initiative formed part of the government’s broader efforts to digitise maritime administration and improve public service delivery.