KARACHI, March 21: Seven ships carrying steel coils, chemical and general cargo and to load naphtha are expected to arrive at the outer anchorage on Saturday, according to KPT sources.

Berthing activity at the wharves was relatively slow owing to delayed arrivals of foreign flag vessels because of Iraq war. Three ships, Hope-1, Stolt Alliance and AP Pride to unload and load oil and molasses were berthed.

Sailing was also modest as three ships, PONL Malindi, Al-Wajba, and Shirvan departed, while Hope-1, MOL Sincerity and Wan Hai-301 are due to sail out on Saturday.

Berth occupancy at the oil piers was maintained at the rate of 100 per cent, while it fell to 22 per cent on the dry wharves.

A total tonnage of 82,993 tons comprising 11,343 tons of export cargo and 71,655 tons of import tonnage was handled.

The following ships are due on Saturday: Dignity-T, with steel coils, Nur Yanbu, with chemicals, Makhaehaza to load naphtha, Meed Keelung, Izumo with containers, Ele-Greso, with timber, and Thor Mette, to load general cargo.