Cargo handling at Port Qasim during first half of the financial year 2009-10 stood at 13.3 million tonnes depicting a growth of 12 percent over the corresponding period and more than 2 percent over planned targets. Shipping also exceeded the assigned targets by 6 percent during this period.
Noteworthy feature is that during 1 half of the financial year 2009-10, exports in terms of box trade, cement and rice showed an exceptional increase of 59 percent and 15 percent over corresponding period of 2008-09 and assigned targets for the year respectively. Capacity building projects at PQA were also pursued vigorously, transforming the port as a venue of attracting huge foreign direct investment in Pakistan.
PRESENTLY THREE PROJECTS NAMELY: 2nd Container Terminal Grain and Fertiliser Terminal Cecil, C1inker/Cement Terminal; entailing FDI to the tune of around US $600 million; are ardently being carried out. Resultantly, 57 percent work on 2nd Container Terminal and 50 percent work on Grain and Fertiliser Terminal was completed last year.
Besides, successful negotiations were made to finalise Implementation Agreement on Coal, Clinker/ Cement Terminal; which will shortly be signed this year. Likewise NOCs were issued for carrying out QRA (Qualitative Risk Analysis) studies for establishment of LNG Terminal to M/s Vitol, Engro VoPak terminal and 4Gas; with a view to meet the energy requirements of the country.
Investing in future by increasing operational efficiency is yet another significant constituent of port strategy. Acquisition of powerful tugs and pilot boats coupled with increasing port parameters is aimed at boosting the trade, while benefiting from the economy of scales.
Accordingly, the project of Deepening and Widening of Navigation Channel is being undertaken on design, construct and finance basis at a cost of over Rs 16 billion to facilitate berthing of larger ships; making the port cheaper and competitive in the region.
To accelerate pace of industrialisation, PQA is making all out efforts to develop infrastructure facilities in various industrial zones. Accordingly, PQA has recently awarded contract for development of infrastructure facilities to M/s FWO and NLC at a cost of Rs 8.8 billion in Eastern Industrial Zone.-PR
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