[3] The corporation is principally engaged in the business of shipping, including charter of vessels, transportation of cargo and providing commercial, technical, administrative, financial and other services to its subsidiaries and third parties.

[4][5] The Chairman of PNSC is appointed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and is usually a high-ranking civil servant or naval admiral.

[6][7] PNSC, headquartered in Karachi, is under the administrative control of the Federal Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

The total fleet strength increased to 60 ships with the induction of 14 vessels in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

PNSC enjoyed a complete monopoly till the early 1990s when the shipping sector was deregulated by the Nawaz Sharif government.

East & West Steamship Company was one of the oldest locally owned shipping line in Pakistan until it was nationalised in 1974.

The share of Central Government in the capital was 25% and the balance of 75% was raised from the public in East and West Pakistan on the basis of parity.