China’s Shandong Xinxu Group discusses €1bn-€2bn industrial complex proposal with maritime minister

A five-member delegation from China’s Shandong Xinxu Group met Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Chaudhry on Thursday 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, outlined a project estimated to cost between €1 billion and €2 billion that aims to revitalise Pakistan’s maritime and heavy industrial base. The proposed IMIC would include three principal components: the revival of the Iron Ore and Coal Berth (IOCB) Jetty — also known as the steel jetty — shipbuilding and shipbreaking facilities, and a steel mill integrated with port operations.

The IOCB is designed to handle bulk cargo such as iron ore and coal for Pakistan Steel Mills, and can accommodate vessels between 55,000 and 75,000 deadweight tons (DWT). It is linked by a dedicated conveyor system to stockyards and blast furnaces.

During the meeting, the minister welcomed the group’s interest in the project and asked the delegation to submit an unsolicited proposal outlining plans and a comprehensive roadmap for implementation. He emphasised that the report should detail core concepts, implementation schedules and feasibility studies covering technical, financial and environmental aspects.

Once the comprehensive proposal is submitted, a committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Shandong Xinxu Group, led by Additional Secretary Umar Zafar Sheikh, will review it.

The minister stressed the importance of aligning the project with Pakistan’s broader industrial and sustainability goals, with a focus on job creation, value addition and environmentally responsible development.

The IMIC concept was first introduced by the minister in November 2025 at an event hosted by the Port Qasim Authority in Karachi, marking the port’s recognition as the world’s ninth most improved container port. Branded the “Steel-to-Green Sea” initiative, the project envisages linking ship recycling with domestic steel production to reduce reliance on imports while maximising use of recyclable materials.

If approved, the IMIC could become one of the largest recent investments in Pakistan’s maritime and industrial sectors, enhancing Port Qasim’s role as a regional hub for heavy industry and logistics.