- Admiral Abbasi urges all states to promote safe navigation in open seas, ports, other areas
ISLAMABAD: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi on Wednesday said that Pakistan was a responsible coastal state and its navy’s Hydrographic Department produces the requisite nautical information and digital charts to ensure safe navigation through the busy shipping lanes within the area of responsibility in the North Arabian Sea.
In his message on the occasion of World Hydrography Day (WHD-2018), he said that Pakistan was blessed with over 1000 kilometres of coastline and around 290,000 square kilometres sea area. More than 90% of Pakistan’s trade by volume and 70% by value was carried through the sea, he said.
As per United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Pakistan was entrusted with the responsibility for hydrographic surveys and production of nautical charts/maps of its waters in order to furnish accurate nautical information to the mariners.
Admiral Abbasi said that the World Hydrography Day was celebrated worldwide on Jun 21 every year with the aim of giving suitable publicity to the work of International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), urging all states to work with the organisation to promote safe navigation in the open seas, ports and other protected marine areas.
Every year, a specific theme related to the contribution of hydrography in world maritime affairs is selected by IHO and this year’s theme is bathymetry – the foundation for sustainable seas, oceans and waterways.
Admiral Abbasi said that the hydrography underpins almost every activity associated with the sea, including safety of navigation, economic development, security and defence, scientific research, environmental protection, construction of ports and harbours, resource exploitation, integrated coastal zone management, disaster management and maritime boundary delimitation etc.
Pakistan Navy celebrates this day every year to underscore the importance of hydrography in all marine and maritime related activities that contribute significantly towards national economy. On this day, the Pakistan Navy reiterates its commitment towards ensuring safe navigation and sustainable economic activities in the maritime sector.
“I urge all the maritime stakeholders to join hands in raising awareness regarding the importance of hydrographic-related activities towards sustainable growth of our national economy through enhanced trade and exploitation of marine resources,” the naval chief said in the message.