20000131

Port Qasim to widen channels for larger vessels

KARACHI: Port Qasim which is second important seaport of the country after Karachi Port will soon add to its capacity by further widening and deepening the channels for larger vessels.

On directive of the government, Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has inked a contract with a consortium to prepare a feasibility report to widen and deepen channels of the port, Secretary PQA, Mumtaz Hussain Shah said on Sunday.

Port Qasim would be spending Rs 17.4 million for the study by the consortium comprising two foreign firms and a local firm.

PQA's secretary said the consortium would submit its feasibility report before six months after which the authority would decide as how much alignment of its channels is required.

The present draft of the port is 11 metres with 50,000 dwt which needs to be widened and deepened.

Port Qasim Authority lacks its own dredging facilities causing additional burden of Rs 250 million annually and some times posing problem to smooth shipping.

The authority through tenders hires services of international firms to clean the channels every year. APP