Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Mohammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive plan to revive Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) through modern technology and a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Industries and Production.
According to an official statement, during a high-level meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan at the Minister’s office, Chaudhry presented a detailed proposal to establish Pakistan’s first “Sea-to-Steel Green Maritime Industrial Corridor” at Port Qasim.
Chaudhry said the initiative aims to integrate Pakistan’s industrial and maritime sectors into a sustainable ecosystem that combines ship recycling, steel manufacturing, and environmentally responsible industrial practices.
Citing a World Bank report, he noted that Pakistan currently imports around $6 billion worth of steel annually, with demand expected to grow by nearly 6% per year until 2035. The proposed project, he added, could reduce steel imports by up to 20%, saving the country over $13 billion in the next decade.
At the core of the plan is the revival of the long-inactive iron and coal berths at Port Qasim, which have remained idle since 2015. The project envisions transforming the facility into a modern ship recycling and repair complex, featuring a large floating dock capable of servicing Aframax-class vessels.
Chaudhry explained that steel recovered from dismantled ships would either be supplied to Pakistan Steel Mills or reprocessed into high-quality industrial-grade steel at a new facility near Port Qasim.
This strategy, he said, would reduce reliance on imported raw materials, save foreign exchange, and strengthen Pakistan’s domestic steel and shipbuilding industries.
The minister added that the same dock could also support the revival of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) by reducing operational costs and enhancing the country’s maritime infrastructure.
Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan welcomed the initiative and emphasized the importance of ministerial cooperation to ensure its success.
“We must work together for Pakistan’s economic growth and the well-being of our people,” he remarked.
Commodore (Retd.) Mohammad Jawad Akhtar, Technical Advisor on Maritime Affairs, endorsed the project, calling it a practical manifestation of the government’s Blue Economy vision. He described the corridor as an integrated model for sustainable ship recycling, green steel production, and maritime industrialization.
He added that once operational, the Sea-to-Steel Green Corridor would attract investment, create jobs, and promote technology transfer in Pakistan.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to finalize the project’s financial and technical framework after consultations with national institutions and international partners. A formal presentation to key stakeholders is expected in the coming weeks.
Senior officials from both ministries and representatives of leading Chinese maritime companies also attended the session.
