KARACHI: Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is inducting two Aframax-category tankers and will soon be commencing a coastal ferry service between Karachi and Port Qasim, and Karachi and Gwadar.

This was stated by PNSC Chairman Arif Elahi in a recent meeting with Director General of Defence Purchase (DGDP) Major General Naveed Ahmed.

They met in the wake of the signing ceremony held for the renewal of the evergreen memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the DGDP and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation.

The meeting recognised theimportance of having a national merchant fleet as it provides essential capability for the movement of seaborne cargo in wartime or other national emergencies.

The national fleet also helps protect the nation`s sea trade from total domination and control from foreign flags, stated Mr Elahi, adding that it equally helps in generating a pool of skilled seafarers.

The PNSC chairman disclosed that the corporation was also going to build a transit storage facility for oil at Keamari, which will enable PNSC to increase the turnaround oftankers.

He said the induction of two new oil tankers was being done under the business diversification plan of PNSC.