LAHORE - Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBT) handled a record 1.04 million tonnes of coal cargo in December 2020, which is 32 per cent more than 0.791 million tonnes cargo handled in December 2019. This is the first month that the terminal volumes have crossed a million tonne solidly establishing PIBT as the premier bulk terminal of the country. Also, the terminal handled 5.27 million tonnes of cargo from July to December 2020, which is 19.7  per cent more than the 4.407 million tonnes coal handled in the same period in 2019. In the last six months, a total of 92 cargo vessels arrived at the terminal while the total number of vessels handled during July 2019-December 2020 was 77. “This performance in the last six months is clearly in line with our objective that is to operate at international levels of efficiency and establish industry standards for most efficient cargo handling,” said Sharique Siddiqui, CEO, PIBTL, adding that PIBT is an integral part of the coal supply chain across the country. Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBT) was set up with the total cost of $305 million at Port Qasim on BOT (Build, Operate, and Transfer) basis to transform the handling of dirty bulk cargo to modern environmental - friendly standards. It is a state-of-the-art terminal having the capacity for handling up to 12 million tonnes of coal and 4 million tonnes of cement and clinker per year. The terminal started operations in the year 2017 and has since handled 452 vessels and total cargo of 25.2 million tonnes.