Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi in his special message on this World Maritime Day said Pakistan Navy pledged full support towards development of maritime sector in general and shipping industry in particular. He said, “We also reaffirm our commitment and resolve for eradication of marine pollution for clean and green environment. I look forward to sincere efforts by all stakeholders to achieve sustainable development in Pakistan’s maritime sector,” said a Pakistan Navy press release. World Maritime Day was celebrated every year on September 24 to focus on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and marine environment. This year, the theme of World Maritime Day is ‘Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet’. Shipping provides dependable connectivity and the most economical means of transporting goods: linking economies and communities across the globe. He said international economies were overwhelmingly dependent on shipping activity which carried nearly 90 percent of global trade served by over 4500 major ports worldwide. Increasing traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges as well as rising pollution levels were affecting freedom of navigation and marine environment, he added. Owing to their magnitude and diversity, there was a growing realization that no nation could tackle these challenges alone. It is thus a collective responsibility of all maritime nations to contribute and collaborate in countering maritime security challenges besides adopting international regulations and best practices for promoting an environment conducive for sustainable shipping industry. “Pakistan is blessed with over 1000 Kilometers coastline. Sea trade is the backbone of our economy. Over 95 percent of our trade is through sea, yet Pakistani Flag carriers carry around 16 percent of our total seaborne trade. As the CPEC and Gwadar Port are set in motion, maritime activities in Pakistan are bound to increase manifold.”