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KARACHI, July 2: Activity at the Port Qasim came to stand still on Friday after a bunker barge sank in the approach channel of the port, official sources said.
The sources said that four vessels, which were to leave the port and the same number to enter were unable to meet their schedule because of risk factor.
Despite the fact that the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) immediately took necessary action and managed to remove the debris of the sunken barge but the survey was still to be carried out.
According to shipping circles, three bunker barges belonging to a private company, M/s Naseem Oil, after supplying oil to fishing boats in the nearby Korangi Fish Harbour, were returning back to their base point.
In the process, one of the wooden barges was left behind as water started accumulating from a leakage in the bottom of the barge. The other two barges who moved forward after waiting for some time returned back to inquire about the missing barge.
After coming to know that there was a leak in the bottom of the barge and water was fast accumulating they tried to toe it with other barge. And Instead of keeping the barge in shallow waters, in a haste they tried to make a short cut through the deep channel where it immediately sank in the wee hours on Friday.
The Port authorities immediately informed the Marine Security Agency (MSA) and environment protection agency and also geared up its own departments to take necessary measures.
The PQA quickly engaged its flotilla including buoy tender 'Mazdoor' which specializes in sweeping waters and two tugs for removing scattered fragments and wreckage of the sunken barge.
Despite the fact that scattered fragments of the barge were removed from the channel waters but the survey was still to be carried out for ensuring safety of vessels entering and leaving the harbour, the sources said.
When the story was filed at 9.30 pm on Friday, the PQA sources said the survey was still to be carried out and the port was not operating because four vessels which were to leave remained inside the harbour and similarly four other vessels were to be given berths were not allowed to enter the channel waters of the Port.
PQ version
KARACHI, July 2: Activities at Port Qasim remained suspended for four hours on Friday for navigational security after a barge drowned while entering the channel. According to press release issued by the port, efforts were made to salvage the wreckage with the help of Pakistan Navy.
In the meantime, in order to ensure the safety of ships, all activities were suspended for four hours. The activities were resumed at 6 pm only after navigation safety was ensured.
