(Staff Report):-
Second Russian Wheat Ship “MV Rich” with a manifested tonnage of 49700 metric tons has docked at Gwadar Port on Sunday.
It is among the series of ships that have been carrying 450000 Wheat at Gwadar Port. Already first bulk carrier “MV Lila Chennai” loaded with 50,000 Metric tons of wheat was anchored at Gwadar Port on March 02.
A coordination meeting held among China Overseas Ports Holding Company, Trading Corporation of Pakistan, Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation Limited, Pakistan Customs and National Logistics Cell.
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has directed Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation (Passco) to transport wheat under G2G arrangements from Gwadar Port through shortest possible routes.
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research official told Gwadar Pro that for lifting the assigned quantity of million metric tons of wheat under G2G arrangements from Gwadar Port, NLC has been instructed to transport wheat through the shortest and most feasible route to PASSCO storage centres.
Tentatively 200 / 250 vehicles would be required to transport average discharge of 10,000 / 12,000 MTs on daily basis. Scanners would be deployed to clear vehicles. All concerned agencies, ie, Pak Customs, DPP, TCP, Passco would set up offices to facilitate operations.
On March 1, 2023, Ministry of National Food security and Research informed the forum that the ECC in its meeting held on July 28, 2022 allowed remaining import of wheat through Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and directed MNFS&R to submit logistic plan of Passco for transportation of imported wheat for consideration of the ECC. It was reported that Passco’s storages were located in 13 Zones and 16 Districts of the country. Its storage capacity comprised of 29 silos and 335 godowns having covered storage capacity of 572,482 MTs. The remaining stock was being stored in open Gunjees in scientific ways and procedure.
Gwadar Port is processing import of Russian wheat under an official agreement inked between the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and Gwadar International Terminal Limited (GITL).
Gwadar International Terminals Limited official said that on the heel of successfully handled 50000 metric tons from Gwadar, processing of new supply of 49700 metric tons wheat will be further smoothened.
He dubbed the import of wheat using Gwadar port a new milestone saying wheat import will spur up trade activities in Gwadar. “It will also boost employability as when bustling activities get underway, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled man force will be required to handle the entire scale of work,” he added.
He said that Gwadar port witnessed zero handling loss for the discharge and despatch of urea last month. All the relevant departments are seeking alternate terrestrial routes to and from Gwadar port in order to increase economic activities in Balochistan. Last month Ministry of Communication identified 4 new alternate trade routes through Balochistan.
On a question how does Gwadar port surpass to other ports in Pakistan in terms of handling and processing wheat consignments, All Gwadar Shipping Clearing Agents Association (AGSCAA) member said that the facts are that the Gwadar Port is more economical than any other port like KPT and Qasim Ports.
“Both the said ports are always congested and ships go to demurrage and the storage charges of KPT and Qasim Ports are very high. However, at the Gwadar Port there are no demurrage and storage charges, along with the quickest stevedoring services. It can be checked by the previous record of TCP,” he added.
