'Shipping protocol with India a boon for Pak'

ISLAMABAD: Maritime cooperation between India and Pakistan, which was possible due to the signing of revised protocol between the two, seems to be working wonders for Pakistan.

According to its official sources, the new protocol has proved beneficial and revitalised the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC).

For example, PNSC, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, has improved now with a sizeable fleet and two oil-tankers and a bulk cargo carrier will be inducted very soon.

A state-run news agency reported A PNSC official as saying that the shipping protocol between India and Pakistan had revitalised the corporation.

He said the protocol revitalized PNSC vessels which have started carrying cargo and oil from India and to India to ports like Kandla, Chennai.

The revised protocol was signed last December enabling vessels of the both countries to lift cargoes of a third country from each other’s ports.

It also allows ships of third countries to lift cargo of India and Pakistan. The revised protocol, which is the amended form of the 1975 protocol facilitated transit facilities for seafarers of either country for joining or disembarking.