(Staff Report):-
Import of Russian wheat through Gwadar Port begins as first bulk carrier “MV Lila Chennai” loaded with 50,000 Metric tons of wheat has berthed at Gwadar Port early in morning on March 02 (Thursday).
Total of nine vessels with a cumulative tonnage capacity of 450,000 will follow the suit. China Overseas Ports Holding Company, Trading Corporation of Pakistan, Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation Limited, Pakistan Customs and National Logistics Cell have all aligned to make this a success story. All the allied arrangements have been made.
Gwadar Port will handle, and process 4,50,000 metric tons import of Russian wheat under an official agreement inked between the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and Gwadar International Terminal Limited (GITL).
GPA official told that National Food Security and Research Ministry submitted a summary on Award of 7th International Wheat Tender 2022 opened on 30th November 2022. Keeping in view results of 7th International tender and G2G offer, the ECC approved the lowest bid from M/s Prodintorg, Russia on G2G basis @ $ 372/MT for supply of 450,000MT at Gwadar Port for shipment period from 2nd March 2023 to 31st March 2023. It was decided that any additional cost on inland transportation from Gwadar Port will be borne by PASSCO to be recovered from provinces at the time of release of wheat stock.
This deal is a leapfrog toward the optimization of Gwadar port’s innate potential as a logistic hub in the region that will ultimately contribute US$10 billion of GDP to the economy of Pakistan.
Gwadar International Terminals Limited official dubbed the readiness to import 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 dispatch 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 Gwadar port surpasses 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.