The wreckage of scores of submerged vessels on the seabed has virtually impeded progress on Pakistan Deep Water Container Port Terminal project, seaport sources said on Tuesday. "The wrecks of some 10 ships have settled on seabed for the last four decades in the area of project construction, which is now creating hurdles in project development work," they added.
The ships' remains on the seabed have scattered all over in the area, which are now impeding work on $1.087 billion project, they said. "In fact, dredging and reclamation work has come to a halt after the authorities witnessed obstructions beneath water, bringing the progress on the Pakistan Deep Water Container Port Terminal project to cease," sources elaborated.
More likely, the ships' wrecks could be over 15,000 tonnes spread on the seabed all around Karachi Port, they said, adding "delay is seen a big blow to the project if construction on it did not resume forthwith". The project has come under severe criticism from port and shipping sector, calling it "perfectly" ill-planned adventure.
Report regarding the project delay left the KPT Chairwoman dumbfounded when she was visiting the construction site, sources said. They said that the project consultants (Royal Haskoning and Techno-Consultant International) gave details to her about wreck obstructions.
According to details provided by the shipping sector, the submerged ships are M/v Abasin, M/v Regal Sun, M/v Munir, M/v Nanda Devi, M/v Dynamic Venture, Aqua Marine, F.T East BEU 505, M/v Naran and Bakhtawar I&II. First seven vessels scattered into sea inside and outside of the Karachi seaport in 1972, 1980, 1975, 1976, 1976, 1991 and 1998, respectively, shipping sector said.
Sources said KPT could face difficulties in meeting the Concession Agreement with Royal Haskoning, if delays in port construction continued further. "KPT has a controversy with M/s China Water and Electric (CWE) - a firm responsible for dredging and reclamation works, over the removal of submerged ships remains," sources added. Sources claimed CWE had asked KPT that removal of ships' remains had not been covered under the bill of quantities (BOQ) primarily given to it for dredging and reclamation. "CWE has demanded KPT for a separate tendering for the additional work of ships' wrecks removal," they added. "Now KPT is giving Rs 500 million project of ships wrecks removal assignment to other private firms through backdoors without tendering," sources claimed.
They said KPT was negotiating with at least three companies to give over Rs 500 million wrecks removal contract and if it happened would be a "sheer" violation of PPRA rules (2004). When contacted KPT officials for comments, they said, "we are not in a position to give any statements on the project delays at present".