KARACHI: Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited (PIBT) on Thursday signed a civil works contract amounting to $82 million with the consortium of Turkey’s Siyahkalem and Pakistan’s Maqbool Associates for the construction of the country’s first mechanised coal, cement and clinker terminal at Port Qasim. Addressing the ceremony before signing the contract with consortium’s CEO Masood Shah, PIBT CEO Sharique A Siddiqui said the bulk cargo handling facility would be constructed at a total cost of $175 million. “Civil works and land will cost $82 million, equipment will cost $74 million and the financial cost will be $19 million.” Talking to The Express Tribune, PIBT Deputy Manager Projects Zeeshan Liaqat said the terminal was expected to become operational in 2015. He added that the companies of the consortium had vast experience in the construction industry and are part of all those projects in Pakistan that are funded by the Turkish government like the recently built flood houses. PIBT would be capable of handling up to 12 million tons of coal, cement and clinker annually. The jetty will have a depth of 15 metres with the capability of handling large ships of up to 75,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT). The length of the jetty will be around 460 metres, which will be connected to the back area of 25 hectares with a 2.5-kilometre-long trestle bridge. The terminal will also have dedicated storage and handling facilities for each type of cargo.