Pakistan’s first bulk terminal began commercial operations at Port Qasim at the beginning of May, handling a cargo vessel bringing in 41 000 t of coal. The Pakistan International Bulk Terminal will also handle cement and clinker.
“Motor vessel African Finfoot, which was 200 m long and 32 m wide with deadweight tonnage of 61 219 t and maximum draft of 12.5 m, transported 41 510 t of coal cargo belonging to Awan Trading (Private) Limited at PIBT at Port Qasim this weekend,” PIBC said in a statement.
The terminal is capable of handling 12 million tpy and represents an investment of around US$285 million. A second coal vessel named MV IRIS OLDENDORFF has also docked at PIBTL, carrying 39 550 t of coal.
PIBT is operated under a 30 year build, operate and transfer agreement with the Port Qasim Authority. It is equipped with two unloading cranes capable of handling coal and one for handling cement and clinker.