Pakistan Unveils ‘Sea to Steel’ Corridor to Revive Pakistan Steel Mills

Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced a bold plan to revive the dormant Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) through advanced technology and a new partnership with the Ministry of Industries and Production. The initiative centers on establishing Pakistan’s first ‘Sea to Steel Green Maritime Industrial Corridor’ at Port Qasim. During a high-level meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, Chaudhry outlined a proposal to integrate ship recycling, steel manufacturing, and sustainable industrial practices into a single ecosystem. The plan aims to reduce Pakistan’s $6 billion annual steel import bill by up to 20%, potentially saving over $13 billion in the next decade, as steel demand continues to rise. A key feature of the project is the revival of the long-idle Iron Ore and Coal Berth (IOCB) at Port Qasim, which has been inactive since 2015. The berth will be transformed into a modern ship recycling and repair complex, including a floating dock capable of servicing Aframax-class vessels. Steel recovered from dismantled ships will be supplied to PSM or reprocessed into high-grade industrial steel at a new facility near the port, reducing reliance on imported raw materials and supporting domestic industry. The corridor will also enhance local ship repair capacity, benefiting the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) and reducing dependence on foreign shipyards. The project is expected to attract investment, create thousands of skilled and semi-skilled jobs, and position Pakistan as a regional maritime hub. Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan and Technical Adviser Commodore (r) Muhammad Jawad Akhtar both endorsed the plan, highlighting its alignment with the government’s Blue Economy vision and its potential to drive economic growth, technology transfer, and environmental sustainability. The meeting concluded with an agreement to finalize the project’s financial and technical frameworks in collaboration with national agencies and international partners. A formal presentation to key stakeholders is expected in the coming weeks.