Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry says vessel owners can now apply for registration online, while electronic payment facilities are expected within 15 days.
Islamabad, November 6, 2026: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced the launch of Pakistan’s online Ship and Boat Registration System, allowing vessel owners to submit registration applications electronically without visiting government offices.
In a statement issued on Friday, the minister confirmed that the ship and boat registration modules had become fully operational following the completion of necessary arrangements.
He said the initiative would modernise maritime administration by reducing paperwork, saving applicants time and money, improving transparency and maintaining an updated national database of registered vessels.
The Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), operating under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, is responsible for registering merchant ships, fishing boats, sailing vessels and harbour craft under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance and relevant laws.
The ministry is also working to introduce electronic payments to make the registration process more convenient.
According to the minister, a meeting between MMD officials and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has been scheduled to discuss integrating an electronic payment mechanism into the system.
The online payment facility is expected to become operational within the next 15 days, enabling applicants to pay registration fees electronically through a single payment link.
Chaudhry said the digital registration initiative could also strengthen climate resilience in Pakistan’s coastal areas by providing authorities with a centralised database of fishing vessels and their owners.
When linked with climate-risk mapping, cyclone early-warning systems and fisheries management, the database could help identify vulnerable fishing communities, improve emergency response and facilitate timely evacuations during extreme weather events.
The minister said the initiative formed part of the government’s broader efforts to digitalise maritime administration, enhance transparency and improve public service delivery.