Summary
- Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Friday announced the launch of an online registration system for ships and boats, allowing vessel owners to submit applications electronically without visiting government offices.
- The new system will provide applicants with a digital platform to complete registration formalities, making the process easier, faster and more accessible for vessel owners across the country.
- The launch marks another step towards digitising government services in the maritime sector, with the new facility intended to improve administrative efficiency and make vessel registration more accessible to the public.
In a statement, the minister said the ship and boat registration modules had become fully operational following the completion of necessary arrangements. The new system will provide applicants with a digital platform to complete registration formalities, making the process easier, faster and more accessible for vessel owners across the country.
He said the initiative forms part of the government’s efforts to modernise maritime administration and improve the delivery of public services through digital solutions. By shifting the registration process online, the ministry aims to reduce paperwork, minimise unnecessary visits to government offices and save applicants both time and money.
The minister added that the digital facility would also promote transparency and efficiency in the registration process. It will help streamline administrative procedures while enabling authorities to maintain a more accurate and updated national database of registered vessels.
The introduction of the online system is expected to make maritime-related services more convenient for individuals and businesses involved in shipping, fishing and other marine activities. Vessel owners will be able to submit their applications electronically, reducing their dependence on traditional paperwork and in-person procedures.
The Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), which operates under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, is responsible for registering merchant ships, fishing boats, sailing vessels and harbour crafts in Pakistan. The department carries out these responsibilities under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance and other relevant laws governing the country’s maritime sector.
The launch marks another step towards digitising government services in the maritime sector, with the new facility intended to improve administrative efficiency and make vessel registration more accessible to the public.
