Imports of petroleum products and edible oil are likely to face a serious setback as Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has suddenly revised the permissible draught and dimension at Fotco Oil Terminal and MW-I.
PQA, by revising the draught from 9.0 metres to 8 metres at MW-I and from 11.0 metre to 10.5 metre at Fotco terminal has reduced the capability of large oil tankers to call at the port, sources told Business Recorder on Sunday. They said that PQA''s sudden revision in the draught was due to development of silting in the channel and turning basin of the port.
This would not only make the petroleum products and edible oil costlier in the inflation-hit country but would also increase the freight rates to Pakistan as ultimate repercussion, they expressed fear.
Pakistan imports 90 percent edible oil and a huge quantity of petroleum products via MW-I and Fotco Oil Terminal at Port Qasim, sources said.
Traffic movement, particularly of oil tankers, at Port Qasim is likely to be affected considerably as the Authority has intimated that the revised draught policy would be applicable from November 8, 2007 to December 31, 2007, which, sources, said is a very long period.
The PQA would hardly be able to find small oil tankers, they said. They also showed concern about how PQA would deal with the problem as it has no dredger of its own.
Sources said the revision of draught has caused many ship owners to review placing of vessels for Pakistan. Many oil tankers of 9.0 metres draught in the high seas were fixed for Port Qasim. However, after the revision of the draught to 8.0 metres, the consignees are worried about where to discharge the cargo, they said.
The PQA has issued the following instructions in a notice PQNM No 51/2007 to Apsa, Karachi, EVTL, Karachi, Fotco, Karachi, Minfal, Islamabad, NLC, Islamabad, NLC, Karachi, PNSC, Karachi, PSO, Karachi, PSAA, Karachi, PAKSTEEL, Karachi, QICT, Karachi and all ship agents.
1: Maximum permissible draughts and dimensions for the ships calling at Port Qasim during the period from 8th November 2007 to 31st December 2007 are as under:

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Berth           Permissible     LQA(M)     Beam (M)
                                        Draught (m)
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Fotco Oil         10.50           245         41.00
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Terminal (QP-1)
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IOCB              10.50           230         40.00
EVTL-13           09.50           225         33.00
MW-I              08.00           185         30.00
MW-2              10.00            85         30.00
MW-3              10.00           225         33.00
MW-4              10.50           225         33.00
MW-5-7 (QICT)     10.50           295         33.00
PRO GAS           06.00           163         20.00
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2: The above draughts and dimensions are subject to availability of sufficient height of tide at the time of passage for berthing of vessels and favourable wind weather conditions.
3: The above noted draughts are subject to change in case of abnormal siltation if any.
4: Berthing at risk and cost of the owners/agents.
5: Ships are to commence discharge immediately after berthing.
6: Ships on arrival at outer anchorage are requested to intimate correct draughts and dimensions.
7: Vessel violating ''notice to mariners will not be accepted under any circumstances.
8: PQA notice to mariners No 50/2007 dated 05-10-2007 will stand cancelled.
9: The deeper draught vessels of 10.50 metres draught at IOCB, QICT and Fotco will be handled by taking benefit of tide at approach channel.
10: In case of misdeclaration/concealment of draughts/dimensions by the master, owner, agent etc will be construed as violation to the above notice to mariners and liable for imposition of penalty as per port rules.
11: The draughts and dimensions for marginal wharf and other terminals will be revised, if necessary dredging is carried out during the period.
12: Vessels of LOA more than 260 and up to 295 M should be with operational Bow Thruster and 3 Tugs mandatory.