Bids for the development of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) terminal at Port Qasim are due to be submitted on 5 September. Port Qasim Authority (PQA) re-invited bids for the scheme after deciding to withdraw the element of exclusivity in the deal. Under the original proposal the successful bidder would hold exclusive rights to develop future LPG facilities, project sources say. Under the new scheme, further LPG projects will be open to competitive bidding.

The new terminal will comprise a jetty, LPG handling facilities, fire- fighting equipment, approach trestle, road/walkways and safety equipment. The terminal will have a capacity of about 3 million tonnes a year of LPG. The successful bidder will design, finance, build, operate manage and maintain the terminal. The developer will pay usual port fees to PQA in addition to a royalty submitted as part of the bid.

Four groups originally bid for the scheme. They are Malaysia's Keloil with the local Mansoor Faboor, Mobil Oil Pakistan, Engro Paktank - a joint venture between Engro Chemicals Pakistan and the Netherlands' Royal Pakhoed - and Termco - a consortium incorporating the UK's Shell International Petroleum, the Netherlands' SHV and Lifeline and the Fauji Foundation, both local. All four groups have been invited to submit new bids for the project. The consultant is the local National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak - MEED 18:7:97).