China’s Shandong Xinxu Group has shown keen interest in investing in Pakistan’s Sea to Steel initiative at Port Qasim and has agreed to submit a detailed feasibility study for the proposed Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex.
The matter was discussed during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. Officials said that once the feasibility study is received, it will be thoroughly evaluated before any final approval is granted.
The proposed Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex is being envisioned as a flagship development project aimed at upgrading port infrastructure and boosting heavy industry. Plans include modern shipbuilding and ship recycling facilities, along with the establishment of an integrated steel mill within the complex.
A central component of the initiative is the rehabilitation and modernization of the Iron Ore and Coal Berth jetty. The upgraded facility is expected to support ship repair and recycling operations, with scrap material from dismantled vessels feeding into local steel production. This approach aims to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imported raw materials and strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity.
Marketed as the Sea to Steel Green Maritime Industrial Corridor, the project seeks to connect maritime resources directly with industrial output, promoting a more sustainable and self-sufficient steel value chain. The feasibility study by Shandong Xinxu Group will cover financial viability, structural and hydrographic assessments, as well as risk analysis.
If the proposal moves forward, it could become one of the largest recent investments in Pakistan’s maritime and industrial sectors, potentially transforming Port Qasim into a major regional hub for heavy industry and logistics.
