The import of Russian wheat through Gwadar Port begins as the first bulk carrier “MV Lila Chennai” loaded with 50,000 metric tons of wheat has berthed at Gwadar Port on Thursday  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 Gwadar Pro that the National Food Security and Research Ministry submitted a summary on Award of the 7th International Wheat Tender 2022 opened on 30th November 2022.

Keeping in view the results of 7th international tender and G2G offer, ECC approved the lowest bid from M/s Prodintorg, Russia on G2G basis at $372/MT for a supply of 450,000MT at Gwadar Port for the 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 $10 billion of GDP to the economy of Pakistan. 

On a question how Gwadar port surpasses 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 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. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP