Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has announced an ambitious plan to revive the dormant Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) through a cutting-edge “Sea to Steel Green Maritime Industrial Corridor” at Port Qasim.
The proposal, presented during a meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries, Haroon Akhtar Khan, aims to integrate ship recycling, steel production, and sustainable industrial practices into a single ecosystem. A key component is the reactivation of the Iron Ore and Coal Berth (IOCB), idle since 2015, to serve as a modern ship recycling and repair complex with a floating dock capable of handling Aframax-class vessels.
Recovered steel from dismantled ships would be supplied to PSM or processed into high-grade industrial steel locally, potentially reducing steel imports by 20% and saving over $13 billion in a decade. The corridor also envisions servicing Pakistan National Shipping Corporation vessels, cutting reliance on foreign shipyards.
Officials highlighted its potential to attract investment, generate jobs, and advance the government’s Blue Economy agenda. A formal stakeholder presentation is expected soon.
