Deep-water box port planned

Karachi: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) is developing Pakistan Deep Water Container Port at east of Keamari Groyne as a major regional transit and trans-shipment hub for handling current and future generation vessels.


In this regard, the pre-qualification notice for hiring contractors is issued by the KPT for dredging works of basin and approaches, the reclamation and the marine protection work to develop the new deep-water container port. In addition, KPT would retain an option to enhance scope of work by adding Dredging and Reclamation of Cargo Village and Reconstruction of Berths projects.


The feasibility study for Pakistan Deep Water Container Port was conducted by Posford Haskoning of Netherlands in association with HR Wallingford of United Kingdom and Techno Consult International. The study was completed in mid 2005, in which construction of ten berths was recommended at Keamari Groyne to cater the future requirements.


KPT has earlier advertised the project for pre-qualification of concession agreement and has received overwhelming response on the project. Nine consortia have participated namely PSA International Singapore (Singapore), Dubai Port World (Dubai), Macrsk - ARM (Denmark), Hutchison Port Holding (Hong Kong), CMA - CGM (France), ICTSI (UAE), RGL Port International (Kuwait), Gulftainer Company Limited (UAE) and Noor Financial Investment Company (Kuwait) have submitted their pre-qualification documents. The lease of the terminal shall be initially for 25 years extendable for further 25 years.