Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, revealed an ambitious proposal to revive the dormant Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) by establishing the country’s first “Sea to Steel Green Maritime Industrial Corridor” at Port Qasim.
In a high-level meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, Chaudhry outlined the project aimed at integrating ship recycling, steel production, and sustainable industrial practices into a single ecosystem.
The proposal could reduce Pakistan’s reliance on imported steel, which currently costs around $6 billion annually, and is expected to grow at a rate of nearly 6% each year through 2035.
The “Sea to Steel” initiative, Chaudhry explained, could save Pakistan up to $13 billion over the next decade by cutting steel imports by as much as 20%. At the core of the project is the revival of the Iron Ore and Coal Berth (IOCB) at Port Qasim, which has been inactive since 2015.
The plan envisions transforming the berth into a state-of-the-art ship recycling and repair complex featuring a floating dock capable of handling Aframax-class vessels.
Steel recovered from dismantled ships would be either supplied to Pakistan Steel Mills or reprocessed locally into high-grade industrial steel, reducing dependency on foreign materials and conserving foreign exchange. The proposed dock would also cater to the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), helping the state-owned company save on maintenance costs by offering local repair capabilities.
Haroon Akhtar Khan welcomed the proposal, stressing the importance of collaboration between ministries to foster economic growth and improve the lives of citizens.
The plan was also endorsed by Commodore (R) Muhammad Jawad Akhtar, Technical Advisor Maritime at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, who called it a crucial step towards realizing Pakistan’s “Blue Economy” vision. He highlighted that the initiative would attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen Pakistan’s position as a regional maritime hub.
Minister Chaudhry emphasized that the project aligns with the country’s industrial, environmental, and economic goals, proposing a self-sustaining maritime-industrial ecosystem that generates thousands of skilled and semi-skilled jobs.
A financial and technical framework for the project will be finalized in consultation with national agencies and international partners, with a formal presentation to key stakeholders expected in the coming weeks.
