Maritime Economy and Gwadar Port: A Growth Catalyst

Inayat Kalim,Areeja Syed

doi:10.13169/polipers.17.1.0073

Abstract

Today maritime economy recognizes the seas and oceans as the main driving force for the sustainable economic growth across the globe. Pakistan with its unique geographic location is blessed with approximately 1050 km long coastline and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering an area of about 240,000 sq km. In a brief history of globalization, seaborne trade and sea ports have made significant contributions towards socioeconomic development, thereby strengthening economic ties among states of various regions. Similarly, Pakistan's Gwadar port emerges as an ideal hub port in the region due to its unique strategic placement to attract trade from Central Asia, Afghanistan, west China and other countries due to its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz (SoH), which is the main shipping route, and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Today, Gwadar's geostrategic positioning enables it to monitor and control the oil trade routes and Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs) between the regions of South Asia, West Asia, Africa and Central Asia. Gwadar's deep–sea port characteristic is one of the rare features which equips it to expand its operation to the 88 berths and capacity to anchor gigantic vessels from 100,000 DWT to 200,000 DWT. The working capacity of the Gwadar Port is equal to the Persian Gulf ports. This paper attempts to determine the potential and strength of the Gwadar Port as a growth catalyst for Pakistan as the country's international trade is directed through the sea.

Highlights

Maritime Economy which is known as ‘the Blue Economy or Ocean Economy’ plays an essential role in the integration of the regions and economic growth as it assists, transforms and globalizes different areas.[1]
Pakistan with its unique geographic location is blessed with approximately 1050 km long coastline and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering an area of about 240,000 sq km
Gwadar,[11] a coastal region in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, is situated near the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz (SoH) which is a major passage for shipping global oil and according to an estimate, the latter is used to transport approximately 35 percent of oil to the world

Summary

Introduction

Maritime Economy which is known as ‘the Blue Economy or Ocean Economy’ plays an essential role in the integration of the regions and economic growth as it assists, transforms and globalizes different areas.[1]. Sajid Hussain, “Politico-Economic Significance of Gwadar Port: Implications for Regional Integration” (PhD diss., Department of Political Science, Hazara University Mansehra, Mansehra, 2018), http://prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/bitstream/123456789/ 9190/1/Sajid_Hussain_Political_Science_HSR_2018_HU_Mansehra_07.06.2018.pdf This is where the CARs and Xinjiang region of China are situated; that funnel becomes less wide through Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Gwadar Port—the end of this pipe.[17] Considering it the economic funnel for the whole region, the Gwadar Port of Pakistan will be providing passageway for trade to the regions on the starting point of this funnel. Investment would be attracted for capitalizing opportunities of exploration of energy resources

Developmental Work of Industrial Zones

Transshipment Capability of Gwadar Port

Findings

Conclusion