It is indeed inconceivable that Port Qasim (PQ), Pakistan's second largest port, works without pilot boats. That is not the end of the story as the situation is no better with regard to other supporting equipment. There are only two tugs, one owned by the PQ and the other owned by a private company. And much to the disenchantment and amusement of ship agents, one of the tugs is used to perform the function of "pilot boat". It is a sad commentary on the functioning of the Port Qasim Authority. About two years ago, two pilot boats were built on order by the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) for the PQA, but within one year both the boats broke-down, and till to date, no replacement has been arranged. To cope with the work, one of the tugs is being used as a pilot boat.
The worsening situation resulted in cancellation of berthing and sailing of ships. In the past couple of weeks, the situation has intensified due to onset of monsoon.
The ship agents are concerned with these appalling conditions at the PQ as the cancellation of berthing and sailing of vessels from Pakistan Steel Mills and oil terminals throw up problems for them, including increase in their operational costs.