ISLAMABAD: China’s Shandong Xinxu Group has expressed interest in building a multi-billion-euro Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex (IMIC) at Port Qasim.
The proposal was formally presented by a high-level five-member delegation from Shandong Xinxu Group during its meeting with the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Chaudhry, here on Thursday.
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. The project envisages revitalising Pakistan’s maritime and heavy industrial base.
Both sides discussed the proposed multi-billion-euro IMIC at Port Qasim. The maritime minister asked the visiting delegation to submit an unsolicited proposal outlining plans and a comprehensive roadmap for the proposed project.
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 ship-breaking 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 tons (DWT) and is connected to the steel mill through a dedicated conveyor system spanning approximately 4.5 to 8 kilometers, linking directly to stockyards and blast furnaces.
The minister emphasized 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.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
