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By Rehan Khan
RAWALPINDI, November 14 (APP): Pakistan’s maritime sector is undergoing rapid transformation, with larger container ships and tankers increasingly calling at Karachi Port and Port Qasim amid major upgrades in port capacity and infrastructure. But experts caution that modernization at the ports will deliver real benefits only if vessels themselves operate safely, cleanly, and on schedule.
In an exclusive interview with APP, Marine Engineering Expert Zafar Ali, Marine Chief Engineer at Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, said Pakistan must now bridge the gap between expanding port infrastructure and improving vessel performance through technology upgrades, strong regulatory enforcement, and sustainable engineering practices.
“Ports can deepen channels, install faster cranes, and expand capacity,” he noted. “But if vessels fall behind schedule or arrive with inefficient engines, even the best port cannot prevent delays. Ships that meet their ETAs and ports that clear cargo quickly create a virtuous cycle of reliability.”
Despite progress including Port Qasim’s increased handling capacity and record-size vessels docking at Karachi Port, serious environmental and operational gaps persist. Many ships operating in the region still rely on outdated propulsion systems, lack adequate emission controls, and fail to meet modern environmental standards.
Zafar Ali stressed that the adoption and proper tuning of electronic engines, emission control technologies, and fuel optimization systems are central to maritime decarbonization efforts. “Fuel is the largest operational cost,” he explained. “Electronic engines improve output per tonne of fuel, reduce maintenance costs, and lower emissions but only if operated and calibrated correctly.”
He highlighted the role of Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS) with halogen TRO sensors in preventing invasive species and Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) in reducing sulphur and particulate emissions. Together, these systems support greener maritime operations and ensure compliance with international regulations.
Zafar Ali underscored that technology alone will not solve Pakistan’s maritime challenges. A highly trained workforce is essential for operating modern machinery, reducing emissions, and ensuring vessel reliability.
To support the industry, he plans to offer technical advisory services, free consultations, and partnerships with training institutes to build crew expertise in; residual fuel oil (RFO) treatment, preventive machinery maintenance, continuous engine performance monitoring, waste heat recovery system optimization, efficient operation of exhaust and ballast water systems, use of laboratory-tested fuel oil, strict adherence to the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) and routine overhauling of critical machinery. “The goal is shared awareness across the maritime sector,” he said.
Zafar Ali emphasized that achieving compliance with international rules including IMO 2020, EU MRV, EPA Tier standards, and the Clean Air Act, requires technical assessment of ship engines. These evaluations include engine specifications, fuel type, age, maintenance history, and performance comparisons with test-bed data.
Based on the findings, ships may require retrofits such as; slide control fuel valves, load-dependent cylinder liners (LDCL), and generators with waste heat recovery. “These upgrades are practical and cost-effective,” Zafar Ali said, “offering meaningful emission reductions with minimal changes to existing systems.”
While Pakistan continues investing heavily in port modernization, Zafar Ali believes that the country’s competitive advantage will be shaped not by size alone but by reliability. “You don’t improve safety or fuel numbers with slogans,” he emphasized. “You improve them through precision: optimizing air-to-fuel ratios, applying predictive maintenance, monitoring emissions in real time, and ensuring vessels are clean, efficient, and compliant.”
For cargo owners, he added, predictable transit times are the most important metric, and that can only be achieved when vessels are well-maintained and operate according to schedule.
With more than 15 years of experience in tanker operations, drydocking, and vessel retrofits, Zafar Ali has emerged as one of Pakistan’s leading voices on sustainable maritime engineering. His work in electronic engines, ballast water treatment, and emission control technologies reflects a broader vision for Pakistan’s maritime sector one built on reliability, environmental responsibility, and long-term economic growth.
“Pakistan can become a regional leader in responsible shipping,” he said. “But that future depends on cleaner engines, skilled crews, and ships that sail on time.”