PIBT, or Pakistan International Bulk Terminal, is a port infrastructure project. It is being built on 520 hectares of land and has been granted a 33-year concession. The project involves the importation of coal, clinker and cement. However, there are some concerns about the impact of the project on local communities.
PIBT is a port infrastructure project
The PIBT Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited (PIBT) is an important port infrastructure project that will provide a new facility for handling coal and other bulk commodities. The project is backed by the International Finance Corporation, a World Bank group company. The project will create a new mechanised terminal in Pakistan. The project has received more than USD 300 million in investments from local and foreign investors. It is listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange and has more than 20,000 shareholders, including individuals. PIBT is designed to handle imports and exports of coal and clinker. Both materials are used for electricity generation and for other industries.
The project will contribute approximately Rs 5.8 billion to the national exchequer during FY2020-21. It is being constructed as a “Build, Operate, Transfer” model that meets international standards. The PIBT terminal will be able to handle up to 60,000 tons of coal in two days. In comparison, coal used to take eight to ten days to unload from ships at Karachi Port. The PIBT terminal will have a mechanized handling system that reduces cargo handling time and cargo wastage. The PIBT terminal will reduce the amount of cement and coal amalgamation that occurs when coal is unloaded from ships.
PIBT has committed to restoring the mangroves in its vicinity. The project will disturb 25 acres of mangroves but will compensate for it by planting 500 hectares. The PIBT has worked closely with the IUCN, a nonprofit with worldwide reputation, to help the project meet these environmental goals.
It is a coal, clinker and cement terminal
PIBT Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited, a coal, clinker and cement export terminal, has begun operations this year. The facility has a capacity of 12 million tons per year and 62 acres of storage. It features state-of-the-art automation and mechanization. It is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2022.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister recently inaugurated the country’s first dedicated coal, clinker and cement terminal. The new terminal opened in early May this year, and since then has handled 12 coal ships. The coal-fired power fleet in Pakistan is growing, with Chinese companies planning to build close to a dozen coal-fired power plants. PIBT will provide an ideal source of coal to meet the country’s growing demand.
PIBT is a modern, state-of-the-art coal, clinker, and cement terminal, and its modern infrastructure reduces the time it takes to unload coal cargo from ships. Moreover, the terminal’s advanced handling technology minimizes coal and cement wastage.
PIBT Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited has informed the government that its operations are running smoothly. The company has refuted claims that its operations are affecting marine life. Moreover, it has sought to clarify misrepresentations about its operations and the pollution caused by its coal handling at Karachi Port.
It has been awarded a 33-year concession
The PIBT is a state-of-the-art mechanized bulk cargo terminal that handles commercial coal imports in accordance with international standards. The terminal will pay a royalty of Rs3.7 billion per annum to the Port Qasim Authority. The PIBT will have a handling capacity of 15.7 MTPA and will have all the necessary onshore storage facilities.
The project will create jobs and increase the country’s economy. It will be the first non-food dry bulk cargo terminal in Pakistan, providing fully automated handling of products such as coal, clinker, and other materials. The terminal will also meet international environmental and safety standards, while maintaining high operational efficiency. Furthermore, it will significantly lower the cost of non-food dry bulk cargo.
It has planted mangroves on 520 hectares of land
The project has received praise from government officials and environmental groups. Mir Hussain Ali, the Sindh government’s Secretary for Environment and Alternate Energy, praised PIBT’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) for its thoroughness. He also appreciated the involvement of the IUCN, which has a global reputation. However, he cautioned that reclamation of land should not be encouraged in sub-tidal areas.
IUCN’s Aban Marker Kabraji, Regional Director for Asia, noted that people living near the coast depend on ecosystem services for their livelihoods and enjoyment. The availability of these goods and services is essential for human well-being, and PIBT has an important role to play in protecting and greening our coastal area.
It charges importers a fee of around Rs1,200 per tonne
The private traders participate in the domestic market and trade through barter deals. Unlike the state-owned millers, the private traders do not have any say in the quality standards of the imported goods. As a result, a friendly relationship between the private traders and importers is of utmost importance when it comes to import decisions.
