The Port Qasim Authority (PQA) is planning to construct a dedicated coal and clinker/cement terminal (CCCT) at Port Qasim at a cost of US$150m. "Technical proposals are being evaluated, which would be followed by financial evaluation of the project", sources in PQA told Business Recorder on Monday.

The terminal, to be built on public-private-partnership (PPP) basis, would enhance the cargo handling capacity of Port Qasim. "With CCCT, the cargo handling capacity of Port Qasim would rise to around 50Mta by 2010", sources said. The project would be completed in 24 months", they said.
"The cost estimate of the project is open so far, and would be finalised after financial evaluation, but it may cost the investors US$100m to US$150m," they added.

They said the PQA has hired National Engineering Services Pakistan (Pvt) Limited (Nespak) as consultant for the project. About date of signing agreement with investors, sources said: "It would take some time, as the consultant would have to see all feasibilities in terms of technique, environment, finance, etc."

After technical evaluation, the project would undergo financial evaluation and approval from Government with permission from Pakistan Navy and all others concerned, they said. When completed, the CCCT along with the Grain and Fertiliser Terminal, to be built at a cost of US$78m from March 2008, would transform Port Qasim into a leading business hub of the region, sources said.