Chinese group eyes €2bn integrated maritime project at Pakistan’s Port Qasim

China’s Shandong Xinxu Group has pitched a multi-billion-euro integrated maritime and industrial project at Port Qasim, one of Pakistan’s key ports, marking one of the largest proposed foreign investments in Pakistan’s maritime sector in recent years.

A five-member delegation from China’s Shandong Xinxu Group has met Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Chaudhry to discuss a proposed Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex (IMIC) at Port Qasim.

According to a statement released on Thursday, the delegation, led by the company’s chairman Hou Jianxin, discussed a proposal for the project, estimated to cost between €1 billion and €2 billion, aimed at revitalising Pakistan’s maritime and heavy industrial base.

The proposed IMIC would comprise three main components, including the revival of the Iron Ore and Coal Berth (IOCB) Jetty, commonly referred to as the steel jetty, the establishment of shipbuilding and shipbreaking facilities, and the setting up of a steel mill integrated with port operations.

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As per the statement, the IOCB was designed to handle bulk cargo, including iron ore and coal, primarily for Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM). The jetty can accommodate vessels ranging between 55,000 and 75,000 deadweight tons (DWT) and is connected to the steel mill through a dedicated conveyor system spanning approximately 4.5 to 8 kilometres, linking directly to stockyards and blast furnaces.

It is pertinent to mention that Shandong Xinxu Group, a major Chinese high-tech enterprise involved in renewable energy, battery manufacturing equipment, and industrial projects, particularly known for driving significant investment and development in Pakistan’s maritime, mining, and industrial sectors.

During the meeting, the federal minister welcomed the interest shown by the Chinese group and asked the delegation to submit an unsolicited proposal outlining plans and a comprehensive roadmap for the proposed project.

Chaudhry emphasised that the roadmap should include clearly defined core concepts, detailed implementation plans and feasibility studies covering technical, financial and environmental aspects.

Following the submission of the comprehensive report, a committee comprising members from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Shandong Xinxu Group, led by Additional Secretary Umar Zafar Sheikh, will review the proposal.

The minister underscored the importance of ensuring that the project aligns with Pakistan’s broader industrial and sustainability goals, particularly in terms of job creation, value addition and environmentally responsible development.

The IMIC concept was first unveiled by the minister in November 2025 at an event hosted by Port Qasim Authority in Karachi to mark the port’s recognition as the world’s ninth most improved container port.

If approved, the project could represent one of the largest recent investments in Pakistan’s maritime and industrial sectors, strengthening Port Qasim’s role as a regional hub for heavy industry and logistics.