Pakistan: Port Qasim PIBTL starts civil works

Civil works have started on the bulk cement handling project at Port Qasim of Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Ltd (PIBTL).

Earlier this year, PIBTL awarded the PKR12.5bn EPC contract to China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHE). The technical specifications relating to the plant and the equipment were finalised and PIBTL has appointed a German consultant to procure the equipment, which is expected to be finalised in the coming year.

PIBTL will be the country's first terminal to handle bulk coal, clinker and cement on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis at Port Qasim Authority in 30 years. The facilities will be able to store up to 200,000t of clinker, 50,000t of cement (in five 10,000t silos) and up to 1Mt of coal at any given time.

PIBTL is anticipated to boost Pakistan’s cement and clinker exports, currently at around 8Mta, as it provides existing domestic cement plants with a common-user state-of-the-art bulk export facility.

The terminal is also expected to help alleviate Pakistan’s current power shortage by enabling a larger supply of coal for its power stations. The country’s government is converting part of its oil-based thermal power plants to coal-based facilities and coal demand is forecast to double over the next few years.