PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): With prices of coal from Afghanistan rising in recent months, Pakistan has shifted to imports from other courtiers.
Amid a slowdown in coal imports from Afghanistan, supplies from other sources have increased, reveal data from the Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited (PIBTL).
The terminal handled a record 493,000 tonnes of coal in the first 16 days of January 2024, the highest half-month shipments in the last two years.
In a report, the brokerage Sherman Securities said.”The increase can be mainly attributed to the slowdown in Afghan imports and lower Richard Bay coal prices, which were nearly $98 per tonne in January 2024, compared to $116 during the second quarter of this fiscal.”
According to The News, PIBTL handled around 1.9 million tonnes of coal during the first half of this fiscal year, compared to around 1.8 million tonnes during the second quarter.
The rising trend was tied to cheaper coal imports and appreciation of the rupee against the dollar.
PIBTL charges around Rs2,000 per tonne for coal unloading at Port Qasim, while upcountry coal transportation via trucks costs around Rs 6,500-7,000 per tonne.
Due to the closure of the Torkham crossing, 70 percent of coal demand for cement firms is being met through sea-borne coal via PIBTL.
Given the higher cost of Afghan coal and trade disruption, of imported coal for cement plants was being handled by PIBTL, the newspaper said.
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