Port Qasim lies on the route of supply of large volume of HSD to the up country.
The industry imported about 3.10 million tonnes HSD through the Karachi Port and 0.8 million tonnes through Fotco during 2002-03. With the completion of the pipeline project, the situation would be reversed and about four million tonnes of HSD would be imported through Fotco at Port Qasim, which has been connected to the WOPP, to be commissioned in July.
The WOPP would deliver 4.50 million tonnes of HSD, which could be extended up to 7.5 million tonnes annually.
The sources pointed out that in view of the large volume of import of HSD, the industry must utilise this strength and increase cargo load on each HSD oil tanker for economising and reduction in import cost through elimination of dead freight.
The oil industry sources felt that the improved port parameters, especially draught, would greatly facilitate the import of large volume of HSD from next year. The existing draught, maintained by the Karachi Port at Oil Pier 1 and Oil Pier 3 during the monsoon period from May to August was 11.88 metres as compared to 11.50 metres at Port Qasim.
The draught for September to April period was 11.85 metres at the Karachi Port and 11 metres at Fotco.
As a result of these parameters, the Karachi Port was able to handle oil tankers of 70,000 dead weight tonnes (DWT) as compared to 52,000 DWT at Port Qasim.
The Port Qasim Authority has approved an ambitious dredging programme, which would be completed before the start of monsoon period this year.
The dredging would help increase the draught at the Port, including Fotco oil terminal.