July 4, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 22,1423

KARACHI, July 3: Three ships carrying crude oil and containers are due to arrive at the outer anchorage on Thursday, according to KPT sources.

Berthing activity at the wharves was active where five ships — Kota Saba, Kota Salam, APL Portugal to unload and load containers, Arafat to offload and load general cargo and Botany Triton, to unload chemicals — were berthed after the sailing of nine.

Berth occupancy at the oil piers fell to 33 per cent owing to lesser calling by tankers, while it was maintained on the higher side at 54 per cent on the dry wharves.

Sailing was fairly brisk as nine ships departed, which included PONL Singapore, PONL Malidi, Pretty River, MSC Rosa-M, Kota Wangsa, Kota Sabas, Global Power, Arafat, and Botany Triton. Three others, Pinta, Kota Salam and APL Portugal are expected to sail out on Thursday.

Cargo handling activity at the wharves was maintained on the higher side as the total tonnage rose to 87,122 tons comprising 29,424 tons of export tonnage, including 2,889 tons of rice and 57,698 tons of import cargo.

The following ships are due on Thursday: Johar, with crude oil, Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed and Kota Teraju, with containers.