Key Takeaways
- Rs. 12 billion project aims to modernize Gadani shipbreaking yard.
- Upgrades include hospital, labor colony, school, and solar power facilities.
- Project supports safer and more environmentally responsible ship recycling.
Pakistan has embarked on a significant Rs. 12 billion project to modernize the Gadani shipbreaking yard, with the Maritime Affairs Minister, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, announcing the start of the upgrade.
The project, which includes the construction of a 30-bed hospital, a labor colony, a school, and solar power facilities, is part of a broader effort to improve safety, environmental standards, and working conditions at the yard.
Project Director Saeed Ahmed Umrani stated that the project has now entered the procurement and construction phase, with a Rs. 780 million allocation from the federal Public Sector Development Programme for 2026 to 2027.
The upgrades also encompass 32 kilometers of internal roads, a public park, and fire and rescue stations, along with hazardous and industrial waste treatment systems and dedicated water treatment facilities.
Chaudhry emphasized that the modernization aims to transform Gadani’s traditional shipbreaking operations into a safer and more environmentally responsible ship recycling industry, while maintaining its role in Pakistan’s steel scrap market and supply chains.
The initiative is in line with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, which sets global standards for ship recycling.
The upgrade is expected to enhance the operational efficiency and safety of the yard, benefiting both workers and the environment.
By improving the infrastructure and working conditions, the project seeks to attract more investment and ensure the sustainability of the shipbreaking industry in Pakistan.
