Gwadar Port
The Gwadar Port project, to build a massive deep sea port, began in 2002 and was initiated to reduce the amount of shipping going through Pakistan’s port of Karachi. As well as facilities for shipping and container traffic, the government of Pakistan is developing the Gwadar Port area to become an industrial hub linked to the rest of the country via a modern highway.
Gwadar Port is under the management of the Port of Singapore. Initially, Dubai Ports World was looking like a strong contender for the job. The company’s chairman, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, met with General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan’s President, in 2006, when he expressed a desire to take over management of Gwadar Port as well as take control of developing infrastructure in the area.
However, India’s National Security Council raised concerns about Dubai Ports World having projects in both countries. Dubai Ports World then left the bidding table leaving the Port of Singapore as the highest bidder for the contract. Gwadar port is now in direct competition with Dubai.
The very first ship to drop anchor at Gwadar Port arrived on 15 March 2008. It was the biggest vessel ever to visit Pakistan, was from Canada, and was carrying a cargo of wheat.
The development of Gwadar Port has meant important improvements in the areas infrastructure. Gwadar is now linked to several other ports including Pasni and Ormara along the Makran Coastal Highway which runs for some 700 km. There are also plans to invest in building Gwadar International Airport.