By Sachin Kumar
DOHA: Qatar’s infrastructure and construction sector has got a major boost with of Qatar Primary Materials Company (QPMC) launching new stockpile facility and floating jetties Yamal 1 and Yamal 2 last week.
The jetties consists of two floating docks each that accommodate four barges with an extra dock that can accommodate an additional marpol jetty with a handling capacity of 12,000 tonnes each, with total port receiving capacity of nine million tonnes a year. The stockpile facility has storage area of 1,800,000 metres.
Many major infrastructure projects are underway in Qatar which has increased demand for primary materials such as gabbro, dune sand and washed sand.
The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics data showed Qatar’s projected demand for gabbro is a huge 264 billion tonnes for the next few years. Demand for limestone will be an estimated three million tonnes. Qatar’s demand for gabbro and limestone will reach its peak during 2014-16, when Qatar’s gabbro berths will have to handle 60-80 million tonnes a year.
“The overall vision of Emir
H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and support of Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, were invaluable as to the timely delivery of this project which will help fulfil the ambitious programme outlined by the country’s wise leadership to complete many major infrastructure and construction plans as well as the development of transportation networks,” said Abdulaziz Al Ansari, Chairman, QPMC.
“Therefore, once this new facility boasting a total four floating jetties including the now serviceable Yamal 1 and 2, and the 1,800,000 square meter-stockyard; is fully operational in late 2016, the port’s capacity will increase gradually in tandem with the government’s need for material supply in the Northern areas of the country as a vital construction hub,” he said.
Floating jetties Yamal 1 and Yamal 2 can accommodate four barges. Serving as an offloading point for aggregates, the jetties will be in close proximity to the stockpile located in the industrial city within a distance of 28km. “The port operates around the clock and boasts a gabbro and limestone storage area of 1,800,000 metres to feed governmental and non-governmental clients with primary materials that meet their requirements in terms of quantity, quality and specifications, all for a competitive price,” said Eisa Al Hammadi, CEO, QPMC.
“Inauguration of QPMC’s state-of-the-art facility, equipment and mechanisms demonstrates QPMC’s alignment with Qatar’s shift towards value-added industries to which it is providing all support elements. QPMC is therefore accomplishing its role by minimising cost and improving return for the benefit of stakeholders, both of which form an inherent part of QPMC’s and Qatar’s National Vision’s call for sustainable development,” he said.
QPMC as the designated operator of this facility will use the floating jetties mainly for unloading its own aggregate barges and for stockpiling these strategic materials at its own stockyard through a truck and trailer operation with QPMC’s own transport fleet, via direct delivery to QPMC’s stockyard, within a distance of 28km inside Ras Laffan Industrial City.
QPMC has set up four floating jetties in Ras Laffan to supply the needed primary materials while reducing traffic congestion problems and the growing pressure on its other facilities in the areas of Messaieed and Lusail.
The Peninsula
