NIO - National Institute of Oceanography

Strengthening Pakistan–China Marine Cooperation

NIO Pakistan continues to enhance collaboration with China’s SIO through joint marine research, including the successful Joint Cruise (Jan 2026) in the Arabian Sea.

A briefing was also held at the Embassy of Pakistan in China, and we sincerely appreciate their support in facilitating coordination between NIO & SIO as an international liaison.

Future focus:
Joint research & data analysis
Buoy deployment near Gwadar
Training & capacity building

DG NIO Engr. Naimatullah Sohoo met DG GDA Mr. Moin-ur-Rehman Khan in Gwadar to discuss marine environmental protection, sustainable fisheries, and effective coastal resource management.

DG NIO briefed on the near-completion of the state-of-the-art Marine Science Laboratory in Gwadar and offered NIO’s technical support for the rehabilitation of Pishkan Jetty.

Both sides emphasized inter-institutional coordination to promote sustainable development and strengthen Gwadar’s Blue Economy.

A delegation led by Rear Admiral Muhammad Khalid visited the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Karachi, where a productive meeting was held with Director General NIO, Engr. Naimatullah Sohoo, and the Institute’s scientific team.
The meeting focused on ongoing efforts related to the Pre-Feasibility Study for identification of potential port sites along Pakistan’s coastline.
Key discussions highlighted the importance of oceanographic data, coastal dynamics analysis, and numerical modeling to ensure sustainable and technically sound port development. Both teams agreed on continued coordination for provision of essential datasets and scientific assessments required for the project.
NIO remains committed to supporting national maritime and coastal development through research-based technical expertise.

An online stakeholders’ meeting was held on 9 February 2026 at 2:00 PM via Zoom, convened by the Secretary, National Heritage and Culture Division (NHCD), to gather final inputs on Pakistan’s potential ratification of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. Representatives from NHCD, DOAM, MoFA, MOWR, MOST, MOCC, NIO, WAPDA, and UNESCO Pakistan discussed key principles of the Convention, compliance requirements, and alignment with national policies and UNCLOS. DG NIO highlighted NIO’s mandate in marine sciences and emphasized that while ratification could strengthen scientific collaboration and capacity building, it remains a matter of national sovereignty and should position NIO as a key partner, supported through dedicated project funding for surveys, research, and integration with climate adaptation efforts.

📘 𝑺𝙩𝒖𝙙𝒚 𝑻𝙤𝒖𝙧 𝙩𝒐 𝑵𝙖𝒕𝙞𝒐𝙣𝒂𝙡 𝙄𝒏𝙨𝒕𝙞𝒕𝙪𝒕𝙚 𝙤𝒇 𝑶𝙘𝒆𝙖𝒏𝙤𝒈𝙧𝒂𝙥𝒉𝙮 (𝑵𝙄𝑶) 🌊

On 19-12-2025, students of the Chemistry Department, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering,Science & Technology Nawabshah (QUEST) visited the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) for an academic study tour. The visit included informative lectures on NIO’s research activities , along with a guided tour of laboratories and the data center. The Director General, NIO also met the students and faculty and joined them for a group photograph.

Tags:

Pakistan and China Deepen Scientific Partnership Through Joint Oceanographic Mission

Under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Mr. Khalid Hussain Magsi, the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), operating under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), Government of Pakistan, is leading a landmark Pakistan–China Joint Oceanographic Cruise. This strategic scientific initiative is designed to enhance national marine research capabilities, promote international scientific cooperation, and generate critical knowledge of Pakistan’s coastal and offshore marine environments to support sustainable development and informed ocean governance.

The joint scientific mission is being conducted in collaboration with China’s Second Institute of Oceanography (SIO) under a Letter of Agreement signed on 12 December 2025 in Hangzhou, China, between NIO and SIO. The agreement was formally signed by Director General NIO, Engr. Naimatullah Sohoo, and the Deputy Director General of SIO, signifying a shared commitment to joint marine research, data exchange, and capacity building.

The cruise is being carried out aboard Pakistan Navy’s hydrographic survey vessel PNS Behr Masah, facilitated through the National Hydrographic Office (NHO). The vessel is supporting comprehensive oceanographic, marine environmental, and geophysical surveys as part of a four-season marine data collection program in Pakistan’s coastal waters.

The initiative is being led by Director General NIO, Engr. Naimatullah Sohoo, who is overseeing scientific coordination, institutional collaboration, and ex*****on of the joint research activities. The cruise focuses on marine ecosystems, coastal dynamics, climate variability, and sustainable utilization of ocean resources.

A key feature of the collaboration includes joint research initiatives, scientific data sharing, and capacity building, providing Pakistani scientists with opportunities to analyze marine samples in advanced Chinese laboratories not currently available in Pakistan, along with training in modern oceanographic equipment, onboard data collection techniques, and post-cruise laboratory analysis.

NIO reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international scientific cooperation and advancing marine research to support sustainable ocean research stewardship and national maritime interests.

Government of Pakistan
Ministry of Science and Technology

🇵🇰🤝🇨🇳 Pakistan and China Strengthen Scientific Ties Through Joint Oceanographic Mission 🌊🔬

Under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Mr. Khalid Hussain Magsi, the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), Government of Pakistan, is leading a landmark Pakistan–China Joint Oceanographic Cruise.

This strategic initiative aims to enhance Pakistan’s marine research capacity, promote international scientific cooperation, and generate vital knowledge of coastal and offshore marine environments to support sustainable development and informed ocean governance.

The mission is being conducted in collaboration with China’s Second Institute of Oceanography (SIO) under a Letter of Agreement signed on 12 December 2025 in Hangzhou, China, by DG NIO Engr. Naimatullah Sohoo and the Deputy Director General of SIO, marking a strong commitment to joint research, data sharing, and capacity building.

🚢 The cruise is underway aboard Pakistan Navy’s hydrographic survey vessel PNS Behr Masah, facilitated by the National Hydrographic Office (NHO), supporting comprehensive oceanographic, marine environmental, and geophysical surveys as part of a four-season marine data collection program.

🔍 The research focuses on:
• Marine ecosystems
• Coastal and ocean dynamics
• Climate variability
• Sustainable use of ocean resources

A key highlight of this collaboration is capacity building, enabling Pakistani scientists to:
✔ Access advanced Chinese laboratories
✔ Receive training on modern oceanographic equipment
✔ Gain hands-on experience in onboard data collection and post-cruise analysis

🌍 NIO reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international scientific partnerships and advancing marine research for sustainable ocean stewardship and Pakistan’s national maritime interests.