KARACHI: A five-member delegation from China’s Shandong Xinxu Group has met Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Chaudhry to discuss a proposed multi-billion-euro Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex (IMIC) at Port Qasim.
The delegation, led by the company’s chairman Hou Jianxin, discussed a proposal for the project, estimated to cost between €1 billion and €2 billion, aimed at revitalising Pakistan’s maritime and heavy industrial base.
The proposed IMIC would comprise three main components including the revival of the Iron Ore and Coal Berth (IOCB) Jetty, commonly referred to as the steel jetty, the establishment of shipbuilding and shipbreaking facilities, and the setting up of a steel mill integrated with port operations.
The IOCB was designed to handle bulk cargo, including iron ore and coal, primarily for Pakistan Steel Mills. The jetty can accommodate vessels ranging between 55,000 and 75,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT) and is connected to the steel mill through a dedicated conveyor system spanning approximately 4.5 to 8 kilometres, linking directly to stockyards and blast furnaces.
During the meeting, the federal minister Junaid Chaudhry welcomed the interest shown by the Chinese group and asked the delegation to submit an unsolicited ptoposal outlining plans and comprehensive roadmap for the proposed project.
The minister emphasised that the roadmap should include clearly defined core concepts, detailed implementation plans and feasibility studies covering technical, financial and environmental aspects.
Following the submission of the comprehensive report, a committee comprising members from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Shandong Xinxu Group, led by Additional Secretary Umar Zafar Sheikh, will review the proposal.
The minister underscored the importance of ensuring that the project aligns with Pakistan’s broader industrial and sustainability goals, particularly in terms of job creation, value addition and environmentally responsible development.
The IMIC concept was first unveiled by the minister in November 2025 at an event hosted by Port Qasim Authority in Karachi to mark the port’s recognition as the world’s ninth most improved container port.
Branded as the “Steel-to-Green Sea” initiative, the project envisions an integrated model that links ship recycling with domestic steel production, reducing reliance on imports while maximising the use of recyclable materials.
If approved, the project could represent one of the largest recent investments in Pakistan’s maritime and industrial sectors, strengthening Port Qasim’s role as a regional hub for heavy industry and logistics.
