KARACHI, Oct 6: The second vessel, Smarta, carrying 40,400 tons of wheat which was berthed at Port Qasim on Friday (October 1), is presently busy in unloading the commodity.

While the third vessel, Voge Voyager, carrying 51,211 tons of wheat is also standing at the outer anchorage of the port and is expected to take berth on Thursday.

Food departments of Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP have lifted a quantity of 10,008 tons wheat against the vessel "Smarta" through railway wagons as well as trucks and containers up to Wednesday. Details of lifting as follows: Sindh 2,808.288 tons, Balochistan 174.285 tons and NWFP 7,025.456 tons.

The total quantity arrived on the said two vessels would be lifted within six to eight days. The whole operation of unloading, packing and re-loading of wheat would be monitored by TCP in coordination with MINFAL, three provincial governments, NLC, PQA, and Customs.

Two more ships, Spar Sirus and Thor Lotus, also carrying 37,800 tons and 33,150 tons of wheat are expected to arrive on or around Oct 12 and 14, respectively at Port Qasim.

Besides, five more vessels carrying about a total of 241,000 tons wheat are also expected to arrive at Port Qasim during the current month. This quantity would also be distributed among the three provinces, says a press release.