KARACHI, June 14: Work on the future projects of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) — re-construction of oil pier (OP-II) and deepening of main channel — will commence this year, Communications Minister Javed Ashraf Qazi said on Friday.

He said that OP-II on its completion would be able to take tankers carrying liquid cargo with 75,000 tons dead weight, whereas on completion of dredging of Karachi Port, the channel and some berths will have 13.5 metres draughts.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of reconstruction of NMB Wharf, at the KPT, the minister said reconstruction of OP-II and deepening of approach channel to the harbour would start in August or September this year.

He said the KPT was venturing into privatization of some key operations. Berth Nos 28-30 were privatized in 1995, while berth Nos 6-9 had been handed over to PMS this year to set up another modern container terminal.

Similarly, he said, granty cranes were being installed on berth Nos 4-5 by the private sector.

Mr Javed said the KPT’s future projects would give trade and economy a boost and contribute positively for the entire shipping community.

He urged the port users, craft owners and operators to maintain the highest standard of cargo handling in conformity with the international standards.

“They must allay all apprehensions of the international trade bodies regarding the safety of cargo carried in the country craft and the associated issues of insurance,” he added.

Napier Mole Wharf has been used by the country crafts or country boats operating between the Karachi Port and other regional ports, like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Bander Abbas and even Somalia.

Approximately 600 country craft call at Karachi or use Karachi Port facilities every year. Although tonnage to cargo handled through country boats is comparatively small, it has its own market and economies, he said.

Earlier, KPT chairman Rear Admiral Ahmad Hayat said the reconstruction of Napier Mole Wharf was planned to be completed within 18 months with an estimated cost of Rs165.9 million.

The existing wharf was constructed in 1910, which has now outlived its useful life, he said. The present under structure of screw piles will be replaced with 12-inch diameter concrete piles and the wooden decking by RCC slab. The present draft available to the country crafts is 12ft, which will be enhanced to 18ft on the completion. The project has been awarded to Ayub Brothers on merit, he said.