Port users while expressing satisfaction over the measures taken by Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to maintain "zero waiting time" (ZWT) at port have termed the fast approaching bulk cargo season as "a real test" for the Trust.
They also termed talks of congestion surcharges as premature during a KPT's comprehensive briefing to the port users on Tuesday, said a press release issued by Pakistan Ship's Agents Association (PSAA) Wednesday.
The meeting was presided over by Chairman KPT Vice Admiral Ahmad Hayat attended by various concerned port officers and stakeholders such as Pakistan Ship's Agents Association, All Pakistan Shipping Association, Pakistan Stevedores Conference, Karachi Dock Labour Board, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Karachi Customs Agents Association, etc.
The port users agreed that real test for the Trust would come once the bulk seasonal cargoes began during the holy month of Ramazan (fertiliser, rice, etc) along with the regular bulk cargoes (coal etc), the release said.
On the occasion, Captain Noman Alvi, Deputy Conservator, KPT gave a chronology of events pertaining to the berths' collapse; safety guidelines being followed as a consequence (eg, non-operationalisation of berths 10 to 17, reduced speeds of vessels passing in channel in order to reduce wave motion, non-utilisation of bow thrusters in the affected area, etc); and berthing policy to manage remaining operational berths in the most effective manner, said the release.
KPT's deputy conservator said that the draft at Juna Bunder berths would be enhanced from 8.0 metre to 9.5 metre in the next 2 weeks, which would enhance the number and type of vessels to be handled there, the press release informed.
To continue fine-tuning of the berthing policy the Chairman KPT also formed a working group under the Deputy Conservator/Traffic Manager with representation of all stakeholder groups, said the release.
Mohammed A. Rajpar Chairman, PSAA on the occasion proposed some "out of box" solutions for the geared vessel operators in terms of wharfage, cess or royalty payments to make their move to the dedicated container terminals more viable.
Stephen Hutchinson of Scott Wilson, UK also made a presentation on construction history/methodology of the collapsed berths and possible causes of the collapse. KDLB issues were also discussed at the meeting as its rules hamper productivity (eg double wages on Sunday, interruptions between shifts inflexible gang booking times, etc), it said. Port users also stressed the need for fast track reconstruction of the berths other than those awarded to M/s Ssangyong.-PR
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