Pakistan and China have officially begun a joint oceanographic research cruise, marking a new phase of maritime scientific cooperation between the two countries. The Pakistan Navy is facilitating the mission through its National Hydrographic Office, while the research is being conducted by Pakistan’s National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in collaboration with China’s Second Institute of Oceanography.
To support the mission, the Pakistan Navy has deployed PNS Behr Masah, a vessel equipped to carry out advanced oceanographic and geophysical surveys. Officials say the cruise will operate across Pakistan’s coastal and offshore waters, strengthening scientific understanding of marine environments.
This joint cruise builds on Pakistan Navy’s longstanding role in supporting marine scientific research and promoting maritime awareness. According to naval officials, the initiative aims to enhance assessment of coastal dynamics, marine ecosystems, and offshore environmental conditions.
The collaboration follows the signing of a Letter of Agreement between Pakistan and China on December 12, 2025, in Hangzhou. Under this agreement, both sides committed to conducting joint marine environment and ecosystem research across all four seasons, ensuring comprehensive data collection.
Such experience-driven collaboration allows both nations to combine operational expertise with advanced scientific methodologies.
A key component of the initiative is capacity building and education. Pakistani scientists will work alongside Chinese researchers, analyze samples in advanced laboratories in China, and receive hands-on training in oceanographic equipment operation, at-sea data collection, and post-cruise analysis.
This knowledge transfer is expected to significantly strengthen Pakistan’s marine research capabilities.
The MediaBites Team congratulates the Pakistan Navy, National Institute of Oceanography, and Chinese partners on launching a landmark scientific mission advancing regional maritime research.
