Daily Times

The Karachi Port Trust (KPT), a premier port of Pakistan, has decided to privatize its bulk cargo handling facilities in a bid to match international standards.

Also, the authority has planned to establish mechanized environmental friendly multipurpose clean bulk terminal with handling capacity of minimum 8 Million tons per annum (MTPA).Currently, KPT handles over 60 percent of the sea borne trade of the country which is equivalent to over 50 Million tons of cargo.

In order to enhance port facilities and to match the international standards, old and outlived facilities have been reconstructed and in pursuance of Land Lord Port Strategy, major developments are being planned which will bring up Karachi Port at par with the leading ports of the region, said an official document.

For the planning purpose of the said project, NESPAK has carried out a detailed study for the conversion of the existing re-modelled berths 15 to 17 and partially berth 14 to plan the establishment of mechanized environmental friendly multipurpose clean bulk terminal. The study includes intricate details on the critical aspects for terminal planning.

Moreover, KPT plans to bring in mechanized and specialized port handling equipment capable of handling large vessels. Employing port equipment instead of utilizing ship gears will increase the efficiency of the port. The state-of-the-art facilities will also help KPT to meet International standards and establish itself as a beacon for seaborne trade in the region, it added.

According to the KPT’s doument, the terminal’s benefit will enhance KPT’s ability to compete with Port Qasim in handling of national bulk cargo demand in the upcoming 25 years. Furthermore, through the construction of ‘Environmental Friendly’ clean bulk Terminal, KPT will exhibit its contribution towards the society and environment.

In this regard, the KPT has invited applications for prequalification from eligible national and/or international firms for bidding for the design, build, finance, operate and transfer of an Environmental Friendly Multipurpose Clean bulk Cargo Terminal under Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) mode.

The project will be located in the East Wharf of Karachi Port, on berths 15 to 17 and partially on berth 14. It is also envisaged that the proposed terminal shall have the dedicated bridge for entry and exit to and from the terminal.

The total area of the proposed terminal is approximately 125,000 sq. metres, running along approximately 520 metres of newly constructed quay wall with an available draft of (minus) 13.5 metres. Currently, these berths can accommodate three ships of 50,000 DWT at a time. It is envisaged that the proposed terminal would accommodate two 70,000 DWT ships simultaneously. A clean bulk cargo terminal shall be established at these berths.

Published in Daily Times, February 21^st 2019.