# Pakistan Maritime Research Centre (PMRC)

> Pakistan Maritime Research Centre is an independent think tank working under the guidance of Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Islamabad. It produces research, analysis and evidence-based recommendations on Pakistan's maritime interests: maritime policy, the blue economy, merchant shipping and seafarers, ports and logistics, maritime security, maritime governance and regional maritime affairs.

PMRC is a research institution. It does not formulate, approve or implement public policy — that authority rests with the relevant government, regulator or institution. It does not speak on behalf of any government.

## Core pages

- [Home](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org): Overview of the Centre, its research areas and latest output.
- [About Us](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/about-us/): What PMRC is, its relationship with Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Islamabad, why maritime affairs matter for Pakistan, and leadership.
- [Our Team](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/our-team/): The Centre's members — names, positions within the think tank and areas of expertise.
- [Our Vision](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/our-vision/): Vision, mission, five long-term objectives and six strategic pillars.
- [What We Do](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/what-we-do/): Eight areas of maritime research, a seven-step method, commissioned research and research standards.
- [News](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/news/): Sourced maritime news briefings with PMRC analysis, each citing its original source.
- [Blog](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/blog/): Research-led explainers on Pakistan's maritime sector, organised into topic clusters.
- [Our Publications](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/our-publications/): PMRC's research output and the formats it publishes in.
- [Community News](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/community-news/): Reports submitted by merchant navy personnel and seafarers, published after editorial review.
- [Submit a News Report](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/post-news/): Public submission form for seafarers and merchant navy personnel.
- [Contact](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/contact-us/): Research and institutional enquiries.

## Contact and locations

- Institute campus: Riphah Institute of Public Policy, G-7 Campus, Islamabad
- Research office: Office No. 1–6, 3rd Floor, Burj-e-Noor Plaza, Shamsabad, Murree Road, Rawalpindi / Islamabad
- Email: danish.sethi0771@gmail.com
- Telephone: +92 313 5421514
- Website: https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org

## Research explainers (blog)

- [Merchant Navy Careers in Pakistan: Training, Certification and the Route to Sea](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/blog/merchant-navy-careers-in-pakistan/): How the merchant navy pathway works in Pakistan — cadet entry, STCW certification, sea service and progression from rating to officer. A practical explainer.
- [Pakistan's Maritime Policy: Who Decides What, and Why It Matters](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/blog/pakistan-maritime-policy-explained/): A plain-language guide to the institutions, laws and policy instruments that govern Pakistan's maritime affairs, from the ministry to the port authorities.
- [The Blue Economy in Pakistan: What the Term Means and What Has to Happen](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/blog/blue-economy-pakistan-what-it-means/): Pakistan's blue economy potential is widely cited. This explainer sets out what the term covers, where the value actually sits, and the constraints that limit growth.
- [Karachi Port and Port Qasim: How Pakistan's Two Main Gateways Differ](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/blog/karachi-port-and-port-qasim-explained/): A clear comparison of Karachi Port and Port Qasim — their scale, cargo mix, governance, constraints and what distinguishes them as Pakistan's main trade gateways.
- [Gwadar Port: Separating Strategic Significance from Commercial Reality](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/blog/gwadar-port-strategic-and-economic-significance/): Gwadar is often discussed strategically and rarely commercially. This explainer separates the two and sets out what determines whether the port becomes an economic node.
- [Pakistan's Shipping Industry: Why National Fleet Capacity Keeps Falling Short](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/blog/pakistan-shipping-industry-challenges/): Why Pakistan's national shipping capacity remains small relative to its trade — the structural, financial and regulatory factors, and what reform would require.
- [Maritime Security in the North Arabian Sea: What Is Actually at Stake](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/blog/maritime-security-in-the-north-arabian-sea/): An analytical look at maritime security in the North Arabian Sea — the threats that matter, how sea lanes create exposure, and where policy attention is best directed.
- [Pakistan's Seafarers: Certification, Employment and the Case for a Services Export Strategy](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/blog/pakistan-seafarer-certification-and-employment/): Seafaring is a services export. This explainer examines certification, crewing, officer shortages and why the strategic question is skill level, not seafarer numbers.
- [UNCLOS and Pakistan: What the Law of the Sea Actually Grants](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/blog/unclos-and-pakistan-maritime-zones/): What the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea actually provides for Pakistan — territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, continental shelf rights and the duties that come with them.
- [Pakistan's Maritime Trade Routes and the Chokepoints That Shape Them](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/blog/pakistan-maritime-trade-routes-and-chokepoints/): How Pakistan's seaborne trade depends on a small number of sea lanes and chokepoints — and why that concentration is a strategic and economic exposure.

## News briefings

- [IMO Secretary-General calls for urgent release of seafarers held by pirates](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/news/imo-secretary-general-calls-for-release-of-seafarers-held-by-pirates/): The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, has appealed for international efforts to secure the release of 44 seafarers being held captive in Somali waters by pirates and armed robbers. Source: International Maritime Organization.
- [IMO calls on states to stop attacks on merchant ships and seafarers](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/news/imo-calls-for-end-to-attacks-on-merchant-ships-and-seafarers/): The IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, has called on Member States to refrain from actions that endanger merchant ships and put seafarers' lives at risk. Source: International Maritime Organization.
- [BIMCO and ICS report a shortfall of 39,100 certified officers in 2026](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/news/bimco-ics-seafarer-workforce-report-2026-officer-shortage/): The Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, published jointly by BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping, estimates that the global fleet is served by approximately 2.57 million seafarers. Source: BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping.
- [Pakistan moves to fast-track a national Blue Economy Policy](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/news/pakistan-fast-tracks-national-blue-economy-policy/): Pakistan's Ministry of Maritime Affairs has initiated work on a comprehensive Blue Economy Policy intended to develop the country's maritime sector. Source: Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Government of Pakistan.
- [Pakistan and Belgium agree to explore cooperation on ports and the blue economy](https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/news/pakistan-belgium-agree-to-explore-blue-economy-cooperation/): Pakistan and Belgium have agreed to explore new avenues of cooperation in port development and the blue economy. Source: Radio Pakistan.

## Topics covered

Maritime policy of Pakistan; blue economy; merchant navy and seafarer certification and employment; Karachi Port and Port Qasim; Gwadar Port; national shipping fleet capacity; maritime security in the North Arabian Sea; UNCLOS and Pakistan's maritime zones; maritime trade routes and chokepoints; maritime governance and institutions; marine resources and sustainability.

## Contact

- Email: danish.sethi0771@gmail.com
- Phone and WhatsApp: +92 313 5421514
- Full machine-readable corpus: https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/llms-full.txt
- Sitemap: https://pakistanmaritimeresearchcentre.org/sitemap.xml