Port Qasim becomes deepest port in country - PQA Chairman
The Port Qasim Authority (PQA), which handles more than 38 percent of the sea borne trade of the country, has recently completed some of its projects of port’s extension and upgrading, Worldmaritimenews reports.
Port Qasim (PQ) has now become the deepest port in the country with deepening of the navigation channel to 13-meter draught, PQA Chairman Vice Admiral Muhammad Shafi said.
The port authority plans to increase the draught to 14-meters in the coming few months, he said.
The PQA undertook the dredging of the turning basin to accommodate larger vessels and to benefit from the economy of scales. The PQA is likely to complete the project by November, he said.
The project of deepening and widening of the navigation channel is crucial for PQA. The cost of maintenance dredging is Rs1.9 billion approximately and for capital dredging the cost is Rs2.8 billion, he said.
Shafi highlighted progress on some other development projects going on at the PQ.
One of the most important terminals at the Port would be the Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) developers have shown interest to establish Floating Storage and Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) based terminals. Out of which GEH, EVTL and Pakistan GasPort are proactive.
The required formalities with Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) are under process.
To facilitate the LNG sector, the PQA has identified and promulgated an LNG zone with a view to ensure unhindered navigation activities through existing channel: which otherwise would have been closed during loading/un-loading of LNG vessels at the terminals if located on the existing channel, Shafi said.
He said that LNG zone has been identified without any cost to PQA. The site on alternate channel has been indicated as prospective in the Qualitative Risk Analysis (QRA) studies of GEH and EVTL.
The alternate channel starts from B-1, B-2 buoys in the channel up to T-1 buoy at Iron Ore and Coal Berth, having length of approximately 21 kilometres.
The channel is naturally available within PQA area, and could be made operational through minimal dredging works, Shafi said.
He said that the PQA is focused to resolve its issues and working on acquisition of powerful tugs and pilot boats, capacity building, deepening of navigation channel to allow berthing of deeper draught vessels, upgrading port facilities, provision of infrastructure facilities in all industrial zones, increased port efficiency to reduce cost of doing business in line with National Trade Corridor objectives.
PQA has recently added two new terminals, including the second terminalof the Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) and the Grain & Fertilizer Terminal of the Fauji Akbar Portia Marine Termnal.
The QICT’s second terminal was established on Build Own and Operate (BOO) basis, which has now been converted to Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis.
This terminal has the capacity to handle 1.175 millions TEUs per annum and designed to accommodate 6,000 TEUs container vessels. The terminal has been operational since Jaunay-2011.
The Fauji Akbar Portia Grain and Fertiliser Terminal has the capacity to handle four million tonnes of bulk cargo per annum and suitable for handling 75,000 dead weight tonnage (DWT) vessels. The terminal has been commissioned in October 2010, the PQA Chairman said.
As the first industrial and commercial port of Pakistan, Port Qasim combines functions of an international seaport and a potent venue for investment. With over 12,000 acres of land in close proximity to the waterfront, Port Qasim plays a crucial role in the economic development of the country, PQA Chairman Vice Admiral Muhammad Shafi said.
Port Qasim (PQ) has now become the deepest port in the country with deepening of the navigation channel to 13-meter draught, PQA Chairman Vice Admiral Muhammad Shafi said.
The port authority plans to increase the draught to 14-meters in the coming few months, he said.
The PQA undertook the dredging of the turning basin to accommodate larger vessels and to benefit from the economy of scales. The PQA is likely to complete the project by November, he said.
The project of deepening and widening of the navigation channel is crucial for PQA. The cost of maintenance dredging is Rs1.9 billion approximately and for capital dredging the cost is Rs2.8 billion, he said.
Shafi highlighted progress on some other development projects going on at the PQ.
One of the most important terminals at the Port would be the Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) developers have shown interest to establish Floating Storage and Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) based terminals. Out of which GEH, EVTL and Pakistan GasPort are proactive.
The required formalities with Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) are under process.
To facilitate the LNG sector, the PQA has identified and promulgated an LNG zone with a view to ensure unhindered navigation activities through existing channel: which otherwise would have been closed during loading/un-loading of LNG vessels at the terminals if located on the existing channel, Shafi said.
He said that LNG zone has been identified without any cost to PQA. The site on alternate channel has been indicated as prospective in the Qualitative Risk Analysis (QRA) studies of GEH and EVTL.
The alternate channel starts from B-1, B-2 buoys in the channel up to T-1 buoy at Iron Ore and Coal Berth, having length of approximately 21 kilometres.
The channel is naturally available within PQA area, and could be made operational through minimal dredging works, Shafi said.
He said that the PQA is focused to resolve its issues and working on acquisition of powerful tugs and pilot boats, capacity building, deepening of navigation channel to allow berthing of deeper draught vessels, upgrading port facilities, provision of infrastructure facilities in all industrial zones, increased port efficiency to reduce cost of doing business in line with National Trade Corridor objectives.
PQA has recently added two new terminals, including the second terminalof the Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) and the Grain & Fertilizer Terminal of the Fauji Akbar Portia Marine Termnal.
The QICT’s second terminal was established on Build Own and Operate (BOO) basis, which has now been converted to Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis.
This terminal has the capacity to handle 1.175 millions TEUs per annum and designed to accommodate 6,000 TEUs container vessels. The terminal has been operational since Jaunay-2011.
The Fauji Akbar Portia Grain and Fertiliser Terminal has the capacity to handle four million tonnes of bulk cargo per annum and suitable for handling 75,000 dead weight tonnage (DWT) vessels. The terminal has been commissioned in October 2010, the PQA Chairman said.
As the first industrial and commercial port of Pakistan, Port Qasim combines functions of an international seaport and a potent venue for investment. With over 12,000 acres of land in close proximity to the waterfront, Port Qasim plays a crucial role in the economic development of the country, PQA Chairman Vice Admiral Muhammad Shafi said.