Pakistani's Port Muhammed Bin Qasim in Karachi is set to kickstart operations at its fully automated dry bulk terminal by late October.
The automated terminal will be the first of its kind in the country and it is set to welcome its first vessel later this month, Ahmed Rana, CEO of Fauji Akbar Portia Marine Terminals (FAP) told The Express Tribune.
The FAP, a joint venture between Fauji Foundation and Akbar Group, signed the deal to develop the dry bulk terminal in July 2008 at $226 million.
The terminal, which is on build-own-transfer (BOT) basis, will be capable of handling over four million tonnes of dry bulk cargo per annum, according to the FAP.
It will be equipped with fully automated un-loaders, silos for grain storage and fertilizer storage, conveying systems, and automated bagging lines.
The company added that turnaround time of vessels will be reduced and the availability of bulk silo storage at the terminal's dedicated jetty and back up area will cut handling cost and wastage.
The terminal is up to 15.6 metres deep and capable of handling ships of up to 75,000 tonnes.
"The terminal operates more speedily, efficiently and reliably than the manual ones," said Rana.
The project's design-build contractor was China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. while the the machinery and equipment suppliers were the Vigan SA of Belgium and Chief Industries UK.
The automated terminal will be the first of its kind in the country and it is set to welcome its first vessel later this month, Ahmed Rana, CEO of Fauji Akbar Portia Marine Terminals (FAP) told The Express Tribune.
The FAP, a joint venture between Fauji Foundation and Akbar Group, signed the deal to develop the dry bulk terminal in July 2008 at $226 million.
The terminal, which is on build-own-transfer (BOT) basis, will be capable of handling over four million tonnes of dry bulk cargo per annum, according to the FAP.
It will be equipped with fully automated un-loaders, silos for grain storage and fertilizer storage, conveying systems, and automated bagging lines.
The company added that turnaround time of vessels will be reduced and the availability of bulk silo storage at the terminal's dedicated jetty and back up area will cut handling cost and wastage.
The terminal is up to 15.6 metres deep and capable of handling ships of up to 75,000 tonnes.
"The terminal operates more speedily, efficiently and reliably than the manual ones," said Rana.
The project's design-build contractor was China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. while the the machinery and equipment suppliers were the Vigan SA of Belgium and Chief Industries UK.