QPMC unveils new bulk materials handling system

Qatar Primary Materials Company (QPMC) unveiled yesterday the Bulk Materials Handling System (BHMS), an operational strategy aimed at reducing costs and increasing efficiency in the supply of raw materials for Qatar’s construction industry.
QPMC chief executive officer Eisa al-Hammadi described the BHMS as QPMC’s “national vision,” which took three years of “consecutive and diligent work,” adding that the company’s goals “are in full alignment with the national vision for sustainability and development.”
The unveiling ceremony was also highlighted by a contract signing between QPMC and Belgian firm, Rent-A-Port, which will operate the BHMS.
The signing, led by al-Hammadi and Rent-A-Port general manager Marcel van Bouwel, was witnessed by Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani and Belgian ambassador Christophe Payot.
Al-Hammadi said QPMC and Qatar Chamber share three “fundamental objectives” to support the national economy “in all sectors and facilities,” engage the private sector under the umbrella of Qatar Chamber, and promote, through BHMS, sustainable development to realise the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.
“The participation of the private sector in providing high-quality primary materials, increasing storage space, reducing the time period needed by vessels during unloading, and protecting public transportation network are all factors that represent economic growth,” al-Hammadi said.
In a presentation explaining BMHS, QPMC director of operations Ahmad al-Suwaidi said: “The state of Qatar has invested QR1.6bn to build this new strategy using the latest technology to manage the supply of raw materials into the country, and to support projects related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Qatar National Vision 2030.”
He noted that the BMHS aims to increase the discharge capacity of gabbro by 80%, promote “efficiency of operational processes,” and increase loading of raw material supply by 70%. “The actual operations for the BHMS are expected to start by January 2017,” he noted.
Al-Suwaidi said the advantages of BHMS include increased capacity for gabbro supply by 80% from 16.6mn tonnes per year to 30mn tonnes, reduced waiting time of ships, 65% decrease in fines, 21 days free storage for gabbro importers, “smooth, high quality” operations to reduce malfunctions, reduced losses in raw materials, and lower dust emissions by 78%.
He said BHMS will increase the number of ships from 237 to 428, improve unloading time from 1,500 tonnes per hour to 9,900 tonnes per hour, and increase the number of trucks by 70% from 2,400 to 4,000.