PSA Gwadar International Terminals Start Commercial Operations

Logistics Insight Asia - Industry News, 8/4/2008

Just recently, PSA Gwadar International Terminals in Pakistan received its first commercial cargo vessel and that signified its readiness to service more general cargo and container vessels at its deep-water berths. The inaugural call was made by Pos Glory carrying 64,000 metric tons of wheat and drawing a draft of 12.5 metres. Upon the successful completion of discharge of the wheat cargo, the vessel departed safely and speedily on 24 Mar 2008.

The 40,000-GRT Pos Glory is the biggest bulk vessel to berth alongside a Pakistani port to-date. More than 60 trucks and about 1,000 workers (including 200 workers from Gwadar) were deployed in the terminal over three shifts to unload the cargo and turn around the ship in the shortest possible time. Following the discharge of the cargo from the vessel Pos Glory, the port city of Gwadar experienced a surge in trucking activity as more than 2000 trucks were deployed to transport the wheat cargo from PSA Gwadar International Terminals to various cities in Pakistan. Related businesses, such as the supply of diesel, food and shuttle transport also benefited from this cargo handling operation.

Since taking over the PSA Gwadar International Terminals, PSA International has sent its experienced management team and engineers to organize and start up operations. Improvement to processes and installation of new equipment have been made, including 2 container quay cranes which would be commissioned by end of March 2008. The start of operations of PSA Gwadar International Terminals represents a great step forward for the City of Gwadar whose residents find new employment opportunities at the Port. The locals employed to-date by the terminal received extensive technical and management training and some of them will be provided with further training overseas at the Port of Singapore.

Importers and exporters currently shipping goods through the ports in Karachi have expressed strong interest in using Gwadar Port for their imports and exports. Container liners are also making changes to their routing arrangements so that their vessels will call at PSA Gwadar International Terminals in the future. The commitment by the Gwadar Port Authority, the Provincial Government and the Federal Government on infrastructural improvements in Gwadar will help to hasten the development of Gwadar Port into a premier port of the region.

PSA International, www.internationalpsa.com

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