In Karachi, it’s been suggested that lack of investment by authorities is causing a bottleneck that is hurting producers by restricting export volumes – which nevertheless hit a record high of 618,000 tonnes in January.

But the chief executive of one of those producers, Galadari Cement’s Badruddin Fakhri, says there is sufficient demand to export a million tonnes a month, and predicted that cement exports could earn up to a billion dollars a year, if the required infrastructure was in place at the port.

The export squeeze has hurt producers in the region as local sales were down because of bad weather and the unrest caused by the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and shippers’ attention is instead shifting about 30 miles away to Port Qasim, where authorities are investing $50m in a 4m tonnes terminal dedicated to cement, clinker and coal.

In the US, the sub-prime crisis is causing problems of a different sort. With new housing numbers at their lowest for a quarter of a century, and America’s Portland Cement Association suggesting it won’t bounce back until the middle of next year, demand is seriously down.

Tough news for Lehigh Cement in State Washington, which a year ago agreed a deal with the Port of Everett, 25 miles from Seattle, for a 20-year lease on quayside space to import at least 500,000 tonnes a year. The storage facility, originally designed to import ore for the aluminium industry, feeds four nearby distribution centres.

Production of cement – the most-consumed material on the planet after water – is generally up around the world, with all major companies having reported growth last year, and many looking forward to investment to meet rising demand. For shipping, that’s meant more cement carrier newbuilds and conversions of existing vessels.

MacGregor Bulk is working on cement-handling systems for three vessels for Cypriot company Intership Navigation. The carriers, between 7,500 dwt and 9,000 dwt, are being built by Shandong Huanghai in China, and are due to go into service this year and next.

It’s part of a series of developments last year that MacGregor described as a ‘steady stream’, including one for Gujarat Ambuja Cements, for a ship that’s to join two others the company already operates on India’s West Coast, and a repeat conversion of an 18,000 dwt carrier to a self-unloading cement carrier.

Meanwhile, in Europe European Union (EU) pressure to reduce the continent’s carbon footprint has the potential to transform it into a target for imported cement, according to UK manufacturers, who claim it’s pressure with the potential to backfire and deliver exactly the opposite of its objective.

The fear is being expressed by the British Cement Association (BCA), whose chief executive Mike Gilbert says that while the EU’s desire to take a leading role in global climate change is laudable, it has thrust the burden of making changes on to European manufacturers without recognising the potential impact on international competitiveness, which he sees as a matter of serious concern.

EU producers have been asked to pull back on their CO2 emissions without regard, says the BCA, for what’s already been achieved. He says: “The balance of effort again rests on Europe’s industries which compete with international competitors not yet subject to the same ambitious climate change policies or increased electricity prices."

He suggests the EU proposals offer the potential for ‘carbon leakage’ – where emission abatement in some countries is more than replaced by extra emissions in less well-regulated countries, and, in this instance, by the extra ships which could be required to move cargoes over greater distances as foreign manufacturers look to find maximise opportunities in European markets.

Cement trade patterns are complex, made up of a variety of regular movements and sporadic short-term shipments. Uncertain shipping costs, driven by factors outside the control of the cement trade, further cloud the water.

Against that background, as much uncertainty as possible urgently needs to be removed, says Mr Gilbert. “We need an efficient and responsibly managed cement industry in the UK to support the government’s challenging infrastructure programme.

He adds that the BCA wonders if current EU proposals fully recognise the action the industry has already taken, and the scope that remains for further improvement without significant investment, and called for clarity to allow the industry to move forward with clear investment decisions.

But Sumit Banerjee, managing director of India’s ACC Ltd, has no such worries. He says: “The outlook for the cement sector is promising. Several manufacturers are implementing significant capacity expansion plans. We expect the demand for cement to grow, especially in infrastructure and housing sectors, keeping pace with the growth of our nation.”