ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have advanced discussions on a major maritime industrial project at Port Qasim, with a five-member delegation from China’s Shandong Xinxu Group meeting Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Chaudhry to review plans for an Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex (IMIC).
According to an official statement, the proposed project—estimated to cost between $1.1 billion and $2.2 billion—aims to revitalise Pakistan’s maritime and heavy industrial base. The Chinese delegation was led by Shandong Xinxu Group Chairman Hou Jianxin.
The IMIC is envisaged to comprise three core components: revival of the Iron Ore and Coal Berth jetty, commonly known as the steel jetty; development of shipbuilding and shipbreaking facilities; and establishment of a modern steel mill integrated with port operations.
The steel jetty, originally built to support Pakistan Steel Mills, is capable of handling bulk iron ore and coal shipments and can accommodate vessels ranging from 55,000 to 75,000 deadweight tonnes. It is connected to the mill through a conveyor system spanning approximately 4.5 to 8 kilometres, linking stockyards with blast furnaces.
Welcoming the Chinese group’s interest, Minister Chaudhry directed the delegation to submit an unsolicited proposal outlining a comprehensive roadmap for the project. He stressed the need for clearly defined concepts, implementation timelines, and detailed technical, financial and environmental feasibility studies.
Once submitted, the proposal will be examined by a joint committee comprising officials from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and representatives of Shandong Xinxu Group, led by Additional Secretary Umar Zafar Sheikh.
The minister emphasised that the project must align with Pakistan’s broader industrial development and sustainability objectives, with a focus on employment generation, value addition and environmentally responsible practices.
The IMIC concept was first unveiled by Chaudhry in November 2025 during a Port Qasim Authority event marking the port’s recognition as one of the world’s most improved container terminals. Branded as the “Steel-to-Green Sea” initiative, the concept seeks to integrate ship recycling with domestic steel production to reduce reliance on imported steel and promote recyclable materials.
If approved, the project would rank among Pakistan’s largest recent industrial investments, significantly strengthening Port Qasim’s position as a regional hub for heavy manufacturing and maritime logistics.
