Pakistan has presented a draft of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to Malaysia that is aimed at improving seafarer training between the two countries.
The MoU is intended to support young seafarers’ professional growth and strengthen long-term co-operation in the maritime industry.
The training, which was discussed by Malaysian deputy transport minister Hasbi bin Habibollah and Pakistani maritime affairs minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry during a meeting held in the United Kingdom, includes a two-way cadet-exchange programme.
The meeting showed Pakistan’s intention to create direct feeder shipping connections with Malaysia, according to a report by the Maritime Fairtrade.
The objective of the programme is to improve relations between Islamabad and Kuala Lumpur by reducing freight costs and transit times.
Pakistan’s proposal
Establishing direct feeder ties between Pakistani and Malaysian ports to increase access to Indonesia is a key component of Pakistan’s proposal.
In addition to improving the efficiency of edible oil shipments from Malaysia and Indonesia, which are crucial components of Pakistan’s regional trade, Chaudhry emphasised that these shorter routes will benefit Pakistan’s rice exports to Southeast Asia.
The talks between the two officials also offered a chance to assess current marine connections and investigate possible joint ventures in crucial fields like digital systems, port operations and maritime training.
Subsequently, Pakistan urged Malaysia to make use of its cutting-edge digital port modernisation technology, particularly the Pakistan Single Window platform.
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Improved transparency
The platform is intended to improve transparency and expedite cargo clearance times, which are the two essential elements for operational efficiency.
It is currently fully operational at Karachi Port and Port Qasim.
In line with its regional logistics-integration plan, the partnership would support the modernisation of the transportation sector and strengthen Malaysia’s maritime training framework.
Both parties decided at the end of the meeting to hold more technical consultations in the coming weeks.
These will be essential for finishing the MoU, defining training modules and establishing protocols for the cadet-exchange programme.
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Kamille Q. Cabreza 
John Christopher Aquino