CPEC updates at Gwadar

[ghazi52]

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Gwadar Port receives 34000 tons fertilizers for export​

Yasir Habib Khan
Oct 5, 2023

GWADAR - As a fresh impetus to the Gwadar transshipment drive, Gwadar Port has received a mega vessel loaded with 34,000 tons of DAP fertilizers to be processed and discharged to Afghanistan as per the Pakistan-Afghanistan transit trade deal.

The Pacific Integrity, a vessel loaded with 34,000 tons of DAP fertilizers, arrived at Gwadar Port on the morning of October 3rd. The fertilizer is imported by a joint venture of Agven Private Limited and KB Fertilizer, two private enterprises registered in the Gwadar Free Zone area.

An Agven official told Gwadar Pro that after offloading the fertilizers, the next step is to pack a huge quantity of fertilizer at a warehouse jointly sub-leased by both entities in the Gwadar Free Zone. After the packing process is completed, all packets will be transported by trucks to Afghanistan, he added.

This is the second consignment delivered to Afghanistan in 2023. The last time during the current year, a private sector consignment of 20,000 tons of DAP fertilizer was sent from Gwadar Port to Afghanistan on May 31, 2023.

This batch of DAP fertilizer was imported from Australia. DAP is used in various industrial processes, such as metal finishing. It also improves crop yield besides the development and growth of flowering plants or leafy plants.

In 2022, Gwadar Port processed a private sector consignment of 8,000 tons of DAP fertilizers and transported it via road to Afghanistan. In 2021, a total of 500 tons of fertilizers were shipped out of the port’s warehouse by a fleet of Pakistani trucks from Gwadar Port.

In April 2020, the federal government allowed the import of fertilizers at Gwadar Port and onward transit to Afghanistan through bonded carriers — insured and sealable trucks with a tracking device.

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC), at the request of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), the Gwadar International Terminals Limited, and other stakeholders, issued an Office Memorandum (MO) titled ‘Implementation of the Import and Export Policy Orders through Shipping Procedure and Instructions for the Operationalization of Gwadar Port’.

The petitions of all stakeholders were examined in the light of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) of 2010, specifically Article 21(1)(c) which allows transit of "bulk cargo (not imported in containers — like ship load) in open trucks or other transport units."

Economist Shahid Hussain told Gwadar Pro that Pakistan can reach its true potential for transshipment when China, Afghanistan, and other Central Asian economies are connected with Gwadar through land routes.

 

[ghazi52]

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The project of laying water supply network for Gwadar free Zone North has been started. The tender for the project will be awarded through open bidding.

 

[ghazi52]

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Signing of MoU to provide electricity to new Gwadar International Airport​

By Staff Reporter
Oct 11, 2023

Memorandum of Understanding between Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and Quetta Electric Supply Company (CASCO) for supply of electricity to New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) through national grid has been Signed.

Under the MoU, around 12 MW of electricity will be supplied to the New Gwadar International Airport till October 17, which will meet the 24-hour power requirements without any interruption. The MoU states that commercial tariffs will be charged on the basis of electricity consumption.

On the special directive of the Ministry of Planning, Quetta Electric Supply Company, which handles the electricity supply across Balochistan, has approved to supply 12 MW of electricity to NGIA.

The testing and commissioning work has been completed, all the necessary equipment like poles, transmission lines and electrical circuits have been connected to the installed power system.

12 MW power will be available to NGIA 24 hours a day through three transmission lines to ensure uninterrupted power supply. This means that if one line fails, the other will automatically connect and if it goes down, the third will act as a backup, he added.

A supply is coming from the 286 km long, 132 kV dual circuit line via Nal-Basima-Nag-Panjgur. Another route is from Mand-Pushin-Turbat line to Gwadar grid station. The third is from Gabad-Ramden line to Jeoni-Gwadar grid station.

After the electrification process is completed, NGIA is expected to start welcoming domestic and international flights, ushering in a new era of modern aviation connecting Gwadar to the world.

The main components of the Chinese-funded NGIA including runways, taxiways and aprons, were unveiled on July 27, marking the 10-year anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The new airport is located 26 km northeast of Gwadar city on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The NGIA project was initiated in 2014 as a high priority project under CPEC.

It was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council in January 2015.

 

[ghazi52]

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A new monitoring station of Meteorological Department will be established in Gwadar

By Staff Reporter
Oct 21, 2023

The China Meteorological Department (CMA) has said that it is expected that a new monitoring station of the Meteorological Department will be constructed at Gwadar Port under the cooperation between China and Pakistan by the end of October, he added. Said that recently a batch of new meteorological equipment has already been sent to Gwadar Port, Pakistan through Khunjrab Pass. Khunjarab is an important land border crossing between the two countries in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

This will not only help BRI partner countries and regions enhance their climate monitoring capacity, but will also help them improve their monitoring and early warning capacity for cyclones and other catastrophic weather events, and help them improve disaster preparedness. It will help in decision making for prevention and mitigation.

China and Pakistan are key members of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Association Two. Cooperation between the two countries is of utmost importance for climate development in Asia.

 

[ghazi52]

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Power distribution work starts for Gwadar Free Zone North​

By Yasir Habib Khan
Oct 26, 2023

GWADAR - Power distribution work has commenced for providing 5 Mega Watts (MW) of electricity to Gwadar Free Zone North by erecting power polls and laying electricity wires in two phases simultaneously. It will take two months to complete the work.

In the first phase, the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) has started installing power infrastructure from the grid station to the perimeter walls of Gwadar Free Zone North. In the second phase, local company SIGMA Engineering Ltd has started laying the electricity distribution system from the walls of Gwadar Free Zone to the buildings of various industrial sites.

SIGMA Engineering Ltd has been outsourced by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Limited, a GPA official told.

"After completion of the entire project, the per unit power tariff charged to factories will be around Rs 57 according to the government rate prescribed for industries. Currently, generator-based electricity is being provided to all operational factories in Gwadar Free Zone North temporarily," he added.

Progress was made after the successful joint feasibility study conducted by Quetta Electric Power Supply Company (QEPSC) and China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC).

The Deep Sea Port sole grid station was established in 2019 exclusively for Gwadar port and Free Zone through 3 feeders. The grid station will provide electricity from three sources - the national grid station of Quetta, Gabd-Remdan on the Iran border, and Nag-Besima section on another border with Iran.

 

[ghazi52]

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GPA begins water supplying project to Gwadar Free Zone North​

By Yasir Habib Khan
Oct 30, 2023

Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) has set into motion water supplying project to Gwadar Free Zone North spreading over the area of around 2221 acres. Completion timeframe is scheduled in January 2024.

Water will be supplied through two different sources. One source will be from 1.2 MGD seawater desalination plant recently completed on June 30 at Gwadar Port area.

Second source will be from old Airport’ water supply line network with storage capacity of 5.6 million MGD. The network is connected with Shadi Kor Dam and Sawar Dam. Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) already completed 158km pipeline from the Shadi Kor and Swad dams.

With the completion of water distribution project, two industries including Agvon and Hangeng will receive 400 cubic meters water per day.

Other beneficiaries will be upcoming industries in Gwadar Free Zone North. Apart from East Sea Group, Acrez Mark, Essatex industries, Idrees Steel, Bluemoon industries and Bari Textile have already submitted their investment plan.

GPA official told Gwadar Pro that as per plan designed by Engineering Department, two local firms have commenced laying down water distribution networks from the two above mentioned sources.

He said 1.2 MGD seawater desalination water plant has been done and dusted with a grant of Rs 2 billion from China in collaboration with Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), National Engineering Services Pakistan and China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC).

Along with completion of Civil, mechanical and electrical work, Central room of 1.2 MGD desalination water plant is now up and running, he informed. Almost 90 percent manpower and human resource, he said, is hired from local market of Gwadar and Balochistan.

Initially 0.5 MGD Water Desalination Plant project was inked with the conduction of feasibility and survey by government of Pakistan and China. Later having revisited the current demand of water, the government approved the 1.2 MGD Water Desalination Plant for Gwadar On July 5, 2021.

 

[ghazi52]

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Govt plans expansion of Eastbay Expressway from Gwadar Port to New Gwadar International Airport​

By Yasir Habib Khan
Oct 28, 2023

GWADAR – The government has planned expansion of Gwadar Eastbay Expressway phase II that will connect Gwadar Port to New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA).

Ministry of Maritime Affairs’ Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) has prepared PC II of Eastbay Expressway Phase II that will span over 10.5 kilo meter. It will be funded by government of Pakistan.

Gwadar Eastbay Expressway Phase I has already completed and operated on June 03, 2022. It is a six-lane road around 19 kilometer long, as the main artery of Gwadar Port through which the entire traffic of the port flow realizing the dream of making Gwadar logistic and economic hub of the region in line with objectives of CPEC.

Eastbay Expressway Phase I cost USD 168 million and it provides primary connectivity of the Port and its Free Zone I and Free Zone II with Makran Coastal Highway (N-10) and Motorway 8 (CPEC’s Western route) for smooth logistic transportation of import, export, and transit goods to Khujrab, border of China.

Gwadar Eastbay Expressway Phase I was approved by ECNEC on January 12, 2015. Contract Agreement was signed between GPA & CCCC on September 24 2017. The groundbreaking ceremony of Eastbay Expressway Phase I was held on November 22, 2017 by then Prime Minister.

The project was part of a wider $1.1 billion development package for the city and Port of Gwadar.

The contract was awarded in government-to-government mode, since China provided an interest-free loan for projects under CPEC.

 

[ghazi52]

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10,000 solar panels to be installed at new Gwadar International Airport.
· Nov 14, 2023

 

[ghazi52]

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Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan in high gear​

By Yasir Habib Khan
Nov 21, 2023

GWADAR, - Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan (2019-2025) has picked momentum with a flurry of high-quality development activities in 13 areas to shape up the old-fishing town into a modern city.

The activities include the progression of the central business district, rehabilitation of old towns, remodeling of roads, establishment of parks, fostering of green growth, designing of ecological corridors, mapping out of tourism spots, digitalization, and development of skill-based economy, aiming to lay down the foundation of social and civic amenities, trail-blaze new business avenues and making available state-of-the-art health as well educational facilities.

The 75-page master plan document was prepared by China Communications Construction Company in conjunction with Pakistan's Minister of Planning, Development & Reform and Gwadar Development Authority.

Work has been completed on various water supply projects in Gwadar. In this regard, two dams, Shadi Kaur and Sowd, have been completed and connected to the city through pipelines.
Meanwhile, a sewage water treatment plant has been set up so that the sewage water of Gwadar could be used for irrigation and agriculture, instead of polluting the coastline.

Gwadar Indus Hospital also called Pak-China Friendship Hospital for $30.5 million has been completed. It will provide the best medical facilities to the people of Gwadar district.

In the initial phase, Gwadar Port has gone digital as the state of the fiber optic cable network is operationalized in true letter and spirit, unveiling modernization of E-Custom at the Port for easier and simpler trans-shipment and containerized trade on commercialized modules. With the laying down of fiber optic cable, paperless custom procedures have become fully functional, transforming Gwadar into a bustling hub of regional and international trade to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and China. Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) completed the project of laying down the fiber optic cable.

The Balochistan government has approved a 'central business district' over an area of 2,500 acres in the port city under the Gwadar Master Plan. The government has also granted a tax-free zone status to Gwadar district, exempting the area from all provincial taxes in an attempt to boost economic activities, while a 280km road network has also been constructed.
Under the master plan, a project of a breakwater at Jebel-e-Nuh for the expansion of Port Gwadar worth Rs. 42.19 billion has been greenlighted.

The purpose of this breakwater project is mainly to provide ample marine protection against waves and monsoonal swells and meet limiting (allowable) wave conditions considered safe for berthing. Gwadar Port Breakwater is designed to reduce coastal erosion and impacts of siltation at the East Bay.

Overall, the Gwadar Port Breakwater will enable safe working at the port, navigation, cargo handling, berthing and unberthing, dredging, hydrographic surveys, mooring, etc.

Under the master plan, a project of a breakwater at Jebel-e-Nuh for the expansion of Port Gwadar worth Rs. 42.19 billion has been greenlighted. The purpose of this breakwater project is mainly to provide ample marine protection against waves and monsoonal swells and meet limiting (allowable) wave conditions considered safe for berthing.

Gwadar Port Breakwater is designed to reduce coastal erosion and impacts of siltation at the East Bay. Overall, the Gwadar Port Breakwater will enable safe working at the port, navigation, cargo handling, berthing and unberthing, dredging, hydrographic surveys, mooring, etc.

Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute (PCT & VI) has also been operational providing advanced skilled-based knowledge to the youth of Gwadar. Gwadar is going green with a quantum leap from barrenness to vegetation. Many green projects have been producing marvelous results. These projects include Pak-China Friendship Green Park, GDA Central Park, GDA New Town Family Park, Sunset Park, Gwadar Port Free Zone Nursery, a tissue culture Lab, and an intelligent greenhouse in the free zone area. Under the agriculture eco-system, projects regarding Aloe Vera plantation and Juncao, a name for fungi-breeding herbaceous plants, also known as the "Magic Grass are the new additions. City arteries, small and big, are blooming with the plantation drive mostly on dedicated road dividers. Marine Drive and Syed Hashmi Avenue (Old Airport), Shaheed Capt Road, Pak-China Friendship Road, and many other internal roads even pathways inside housing societies have been wearing a greener look.

The plantation is also visible in China-Pakistan Faqeer Middle School, GDA higher secondary school, Behria Model Schools, Army Public Schools, Allama Iqbal Open University campus, Girls Degree College, Boys Degree College, National University of Modern Language (NUML) camps, Gwadar Information Technology (GIT), Gwadar University, DC office, Governor House and GDA hospitals.

"Under green urbanization vision upholding the high spirit of "Gwadar Master Plan", Gwadar life with saplings and plants is now the order of the day. Trees, plants and parks are the new scenes. Leaves, flowers and shrubs spell green extravaganza inside Gwadar Port as well as the city limits," said local leader Noor Ahmed.

Given the proposed Tourism Strategy, a "Ferry Service" is planned to be launched connecting adjoining areas of Gwadar and the neighboring country Iran that will inculcate a startling sense among tourists to be amazed at the sound and sights of Gwadar.

The upcoming strategy will also entail "Festival Tourism". It will set tourists' interest ablaze, he claimed and added that Festival Tourism will unlock a sense of thematic festivity offering the people to get introduced with Gwadar's local events, fairs and carnivals.

"Cultural Tourism" is another valuable aspect that will be incorporated in the proposed draft of Gwadar's first tourism strategy, he said. Recently Balochistan government launched tourist police in Gwadar to ensure a safe and secure environment for the visitors thronging the coastal city for recreational activities.

Meanwhile, the ecotourism resorts are being built swing with allied facilities in the coastal areas of Balochistan to cater to the needs of local and foreign tourists visiting its beautiful coastal lines. The construction work on the establishment of tourist resorts in Gwadar is underway. Tourism in Gwadar may be marked as adventure tourism with boat riding, fish catching, some prospects of jeep rally and keeping in view the initiatives of the sea.

With an estimated cost of Rs 3,325.6 million, the Gwadar Safe City Project (Phase I) is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Homes and Tribal Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology under the Government of Balochistan. Key aspects of the project include the installation of optical fiber cables spanning up to 190 kilometers and the placement of multipurpose cameras at 411 locations.

Gwadar Old City Master Plan is in making on fast-track promising new avenues of progress and prosperity for the local community. Gwadar Old City Master plan features the conservation of historical places, and old markets including Shahi Bazaar, Janaat Bazaar, the rehabilitation of city arteries, the revamping of drainage and sewerage system, skill education for Gwadar's boat-makers.

 

[nahtanbob]

Is CPEC down to public works projects for Gwadar ? @ghazi52

 

[ghazi52]

Is CPEC down to public works projects for Gwadar ? @ghazi52

To some extent, they are pouring money for local to get friendship in that hostile part of country, of course, for their interest, there is no other way. the New airport is fully constructed by them. Pakistan is getting a nice town. Town was bought back by Pakistan in Ayub era.

 

[ghazi52]

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GPA begins water supplying project to Gwadar Free Zone North Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) has set into motion water supplying project to Gwadar Free Zone North spreading over the area of around 2221 acres.

Completion timeframe is scheduled in January 2024.

Water will be supplied through two different sources. One source will be from 1.2 MGD seawater desalination plant recently completed on June 30 at Gwadar Port area.

Second source will be from old Airport’ water supply line network with storage capacity of 5.6 million MGD.

The network is connected with Shadi Kor Dam and Sawar Dam. Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) already completed 158km pipeline from the Shadi Kor and Swad dams.

With the completion of water distribution project, two industries including Agvon and Hangeng will receive 400 cubic meters water per day. Other beneficiaries will be upcoming industries in Gwadar Free Zone North.

Apart from East Sea Group, Acrez Mark, Essatex industries, Idrees Steel, Bluemoon industries and Bari Textile have already submitted their investment plan.

GPA official told Gwadar Pro that as per plan designed by Engineering Department, two local firms have commenced laying down water distribution networks from the two above mentioned sources.

He said 1.2 MGD seawater desalination water plant has been done and dusted with a grant of Rs 2 billion from China in collaboration with Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), National Engineering Services Pakistan and China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC).

Along with completion of Civil, mechanical and electrical work, Central room of 1.2 MGD desalination water plant is now up and running, he informed.

Almost 90 percent manpower and human resource, he said, is hired from local market of Gwadar and Balochistan.

Initially 0.5 MGD Water Desalination Plant project was inked with the conduction of feasibility and survey by government of Pakistan and China.

Later having revisited the current demand of water, the government approved the 1.2 MGD Water Desalination Plant for Gwadar On July 5, 2021.

 

[ghazi52]

Gwadar: Pakistan Single Window replacing aging WeBOC to ensure modern e-custom system​

Gwadar Pro
Jul 14, 2024

GWADAR, July 14 (Gwadar Pro) - With a view to make Gwadar a modern logistic hub, the government on July 10 embarked on replacing the aging WeBOC (Web-based One Custom System) with Pakistan Single Window (PSW), a state-of-the-art customs digital management system in Gwadar custom mechanism.

It aims to optimize high-tech modern automation, standardization and harmonization of all logistic workouts and services related to land, air and sea routes. It will connect with the Customs, banking channels and other institutions to increase efficiency and reduce the time taken for processing in various departments.

With the initiative, WeBOC’s thousands of registered users i.e. businesses, government departments including Anti-Narcotic Force, Engineering Development Board, State Bank of Pakistan, Ministry of Climate Change, Railways, Income Tax Department, Provincial Motor Registering Authorities, Commercial Banks, will be incorporated into Pakistan Single Window.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) official told Gwadar Pro that strategic move is aimed at upgrading and transforming the core functions of Pakistan Customs through comprehensive Business Process Mapping & Re-engineering.

 

[ghazi52]

Testing and commissioning of New Gwadar International Airport complete​

Gwadar Pro
Jul 21, 2024

GWADAR - The testing and commissioning of the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) have been completed with precision on July 19.

This phase marks the culmination of a detailed three-month process, begun on April 15, that optimized the airport's compliance with design requirements, operational efficiency, and minimized future operational risks while adhering to maintenance standards and legislative regulations.

The comprehensive testing and commissioning involved the airport's entire infrastructure, including the runway, taxiway, apron, electrical systems, telecommunications networks, security features, water supply system, and grid station.

A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Pakistan official explained to Gwadar Pro, "Testing and commissioning encompass a series of engineering techniques and procedures designed to check, inspect, and test every operational component of a project, from individual functions to complex systems. The main objective is to ensure that all elements, including construction, processing, and installation, function according to capacity, usage, and requirements."

Last July, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the airbase infrastructure of the China-funded NGIA, which includes 32 components such as civil, technical, electrical, and communication facilities, alongside modern allied services.

The next phase will see the construction of a cargo complex designed to handle diverse cargo types. Upon completion, NGIA will be the largest airport in Pakistan and the nation's second to operate under an open sky policy. It is slated to accommodate both narrow-body aircraft such as the ATR 72 and Boeing B-737 and wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A-380 and Boeing B-747, facilitating both domestic and international flights. The airport's development is guided by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Costing Rs. 60.208 billion, NGIA is a flagship project of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The airport, surrounded by a security fence, spans over 4,300 acres and is located 26km northeast of the existing Gwadar City airport on the southwestern Arabian Sea coast of the Balochistan region.

 

[ghazi52]

New Gwadar International Airport expected to become operational on August 14​

Airport is pivotal project under CPEC and represents a significant milestone in collaboration between China, Pakistan

News Desk
August 04, 2024

ISLAMBAD: The New Gwadar International Airport is expected to become operational on August 14, with all preparations nearly complete.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to oversee the soft launch of this significant project.

A special Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Karachi is scheduled to be the first to land at the New Gwadar International Airport, marking a historic moment for the region.

Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs54.98 billion, the airport features runways built to international standards, capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Airbus A380.

The Gwadar International Airport is a key project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and represents a significant milestone in the collaboration between China and Pakistan. According to sources, the Civil Aviation Authority has constructed the airport in partnership with Chinese experts.

Currently, only four per cent of the operational section remains incomplete. Other development projects related to the airport are expected to be finished by December 2025.

The New Gwadar International Airport is set to boost the region’s connectivity and economic development, acting as a vital infrastructure project for Pakistan’s growing aviation industry.