Pak explore possibilities over developing fourth seaport

Karachi: The Federal Government is looking for a suitable site to build country's fourth port, preferably in Balochistan. In this regard, experts in the Ministry of Ports and Shipping are already working to identify the suitable site to build a port.

Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Babar Khan Ghauri shared these views in an interview to a TV channel here. Though no decision has yet been taken, the Minister said potential site could be Ormara or Sonmiani. Pakistan's economy is rapidly growing because of strategic location the country enjoys. 'There is a place for fourth port in Pakistan,' he added.

Babar Ghauri said Pakistan was poised to become hub of transit trade for North Western India, Western China, Afghanistan, Central Asia and even parts of eastern Iran.

The port operator for Gwadar deep-water port would be finalised in one-month time. The ministry had received expression of interests (EoIs) from local and international firms, including DP World, P&O, PICT and others.

The Gwadar port has potential to become a major port of the region. 'We expect that the Gwadar port will also grab some business held by other regional ports. Therefore, all the applicants are being examined carefully.'

Without naming any port or operator, the minister said the government wanted to make sure that the port operator did not make Gwadar a second category port. Ghauri was optimistic about improving financial health of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC).

He said the corporation was operating a fleet of 14 vessels, including four oil tankers and one bulk carrier. While, two oil tankers and another bulk carrier would be inducted in the existing fleet soon. 'Pakistan is no more dependent on foreign shipping lines for the import of crude oil,' he added. Ghauri said that country's annual crude oil import stood around nine million tonnes. Of which the PNSC is transporting 8.1 million tonnes.

'After acquiring two more oil tankers by the end of this year, Pakistan will be supplying oil to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other countries.' He said rising PNSC fleet would also benefit Pakistani seafarers, who had suffered discrimination after 9/11 incident, as many shipping lines refused to board Pakistani seamen due to strict regulations in many countries.

He informed about the successful negotiations with DP World regarding establishing of second container terminal at Port Qasim and increase in royalty charges for containers' movement. As opposed to the previous cargo terminal at PQA, the second terminal is being built on build-operate and transfer basis for period of 30 years. The government has allotted the QICT at build-operate and own (BOO) basis with movement charges of $4 per container.

Under the new contract, the terminal operator will pay PQA $9.2 for movement of each container. The PQA would earn an additional $300 million over 30 years, due to revision in royalty charges.