IMIC Sea-to-Steel Project Advances with Chinese Industrial Study
A Chinese industrial group is set to submit a comprehensive feasibility study for Pakistan’s proposed Sea-to-Steel Green Maritime Industrial Corridor at Port Qasim, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on Friday. The initiative aims to accelerate domestic steel production while modernizing maritime and industrial infrastructure under the Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex (IMIC).
Minister Chaudhry chaired a high-level review meeting focused on advancing IMIC, a flagship project designed to upgrade port facilities, develop shipbuilding and recycling yards, and establish an integrated steel mill. Representatives from China’s Shandong Xinxu Group attended the meeting alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, with Port Qasim Authority Chairman Rear Admiral (Ret.) Syed Moazzam Ilyas joining via video link from Karachi.
The Chinese group, expressing strong interest in the project, will submit an unsolicited feasibility study encompassing financial impact assessments, structural and hydrographic analyses, and quantitative risk evaluations. The submission will provide a foundation for evaluating the project’s commercial and operational viability.
IMIC is composed of three core components, including the revival and upgrading of the Iron Ore and Coal Berth (IOCB) jetty. The facility will facilitate ship recycling and repair, with recyclable scrap feeding the integrated steel mill to restore domestic production capacity. Branded as the “Sea-to-Steel Green Maritime Industrial Corridor,” the project aims to reduce reliance on imported steel by leveraging locally sourced recyclable materials.
Minister Chaudhry emphasized the project’s potential as a key driver of Pakistan’s blue economy, noting that industrial value will be created through maritime assets and port-based infrastructure. “Once submitted, the proposal will undergo thorough review before any decision,” he stated. “If approved, IMIC would rank among Pakistan’s largest recent maritime and industrial investments, positioning Port Qasim as a regional hub for heavy industry and logistics.”
The minister further highlighted the importance of aligning the initiative with national priorities, including job creation, value addition, and sustainable development standards. The project is expected to attract foreign investment, boost exports, generate employment, and ease pressure on Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves while supporting integrated recycling, manufacturing, and logistics operations.