Islamabad/Riyadh: While China built Pakistan’s Gwadar Port under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), intelligence sources have revealed that a new strategic game is underway in the Arabian Sea. According to sources cited by Navbharat Times Online, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are planning a comprehensive maritime and logistics project at Gwadar Port that extends far beyond economic interests, with clear military and strategic implications.
The proposal envisions transforming Gwadar from a commercial port into a multi-dimensional strategic hub. It aims to strengthen Pakistan’s maritime logistics and energy security while extending Saudi Arabia’s strategic reach across the Arabian Sea and adjacent regions. The plan includes enhanced bilateral defense cooperation and rapid deployment capabilities in the region.
Gwadar–Saudi Gateway Terminal
Sources indicate that the master plan includes a specialized “Gwadar–Saudi Arabia Gateway Terminal,” dedicated exclusively to Saudi vessels. The proposed 1,000-meter terminal will be designed to meet Saudi Arabia’s primary logistical needs. In addition, an industrial zone at Gwadar will host a large-scale oil refinery and petrochemical complex with direct Saudi involvement.
The plan also integrates LNG and LPG terminals connected to CPEC infrastructure, facilitating energy supply to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and western China. Intelligence reports suggest that this logistics and energy network will not remain limited to commerce; it has the potential to influence the regional balance of power. A direct shipping line connecting Gwadar to Saudi Arabia’s Dammam port is also under consideration, positioning Gwadar as a regional logistics node.
Strategic and Commercial Reserves in the Arabian Sea
One of the most sensitive elements of the plan is offshore oil storage and bunkering facilities in the Arabian Sea, potentially involving Saudi state-owned oil giant Aramco and its partners. Gwadar’s proximity to the Strait of Hormuz provides Pakistan with a significant strategic advantage, while allowing Saudi Arabia ship-to-ship refueling and strategic oil storage capabilities. These special zones are intended to serve both strategic and commercial reserves and provide reliable refueling stops for vessels traveling between the Gulf, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Through CPEC’s road, rail, and pipeline networks, these resources could be supplied to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asian Republics, and China. The plan also includes a direct Gwadar-Dammam container shipping service to counter the existing Dammam–Mumbai maritime route, further strengthening Gwadar’s position as a regional logistics hub.
Infrastructure Expansion and Strategic Implications
Saudi-Pakistan plans also include constructing a coastal highway connecting Karachi to Gwadar, boosting regional trade and strengthening a tourism corridor. Saudi Arabia aims to ensure returns for its investors while providing logistics support for other Gwadar-linked projects. Toll collection from foreign cargo ships passing through the region will generate continuous revenue.
Recent military agreements between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, coupled with this strategic initiative, indicate a concerted effort to strengthen Pakistan’s naval presence in the Arabian Sea. Saudi Arabia gains a strategic foothold, while Pakistan can utilize Saudi funds to enhance its naval capabilities at Gwadar, with Mumbai reportedly within strategic consideration. The plan’s execution suggests tacit support from China, further cementing Gwadar’s growing significance in regional maritime strategy.
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