Key Takeaways
- Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the start of work on the Rs12 billion Gadani Shipbreaking Yard.
- The project aims to modernize the shipbreaking industry and align it with international safety and environmental standards.
- Key facilities under construction include a 30-bed hospital, a labor colony, a school, and solar power infrastructure.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has initiated the modernization of the Gadani Shipbreaking Yard, a significant step towards transforming the traditional shipbreaking practices into a modern, safe, and environmentally responsible industry.
The project, which is expected to cost Rs12 billion, received approval for USD 43.3 million in June 2025, aimed at turning Gadani into a model green facility.
Decades ago, Gadani was a major destination for the dismantling of old and decommissioned ships, with its activities contributing significantly to Pakistan’s steel-scrap market and supply chains.
The overhaul of Gadani’s shipbreaking yard is part of a broader initiative to bring the facility in line with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, an International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaty.
The project encompasses a range of infrastructure development, including 32 kilometres of internal roads, a public park, hazardous and industrial waste-treatment systems, fire and rescue stations, and dedicated water treatment facilities.
During a steering committee meeting, Junaid Chaudhry highlighted the importance of maintaining implementation momentum and ensuring that all new infrastructure meets strict operational benchmarks.
Project Director Saeed Ahmed Umrani briefed the committee that the implementation has entered the active procurement and construction phase, backed by a federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) allocation of Rs780 million for 2026–27.
The minister emphasized the critical role of the Gadani Shipbreaking Yard in Pakistan’s economy and the need to modernize the industry to meet global standards.
