August 14, 2003	Thursday	Jumadi-us-Sani 15, 1424

KARACHI, Aug 13: Berthing activity at the wharves was on the higher side on Wednesday where nine ships were berthed, according to KPT sources.

Owing to inward rush of delayed foreign vessels, the port agencies tried to clear backlog to make space for the incoming ships during the next couple of days.

The ships, which were berthed included APL Cairo, Kota Waris, Eax Sanctity, Bunga mastiga, with containers, Liberator, to offload steel coils, Zhing Yang Men to unload soda ash, Islamabad to unload rock phosphate, Thia Matina, to unload coal and Erikoussa to load naptha.

Four vessels, Australia Bridge, Kota Waris, Booyang Victor and Sorena departed on Wednesday, while Andhika Adhidays, Erikoussa, APL Cairo, Bunga Mastiga, Liberator and Nava Eliza are due to sail out on Thursday.

Cargo handling was active as the total tonnage rose to 86,176 tons comprising 35,757 tons of export cargo including 18,400 tons of molasses and 50,419 tons of import tonnage.

The following ships are due on Thursday: Shirvan, with 61,000 tons of crude oil, Mar Challenger and Simar Bahar, with containers.

The following are due on Friday: Unitank, to load 15,000 tons of molasses, Wan Hai-302, with containers, Leopard, with general cargo and Diana-C, with steel material.