February 15, 2007	Thursday	Muharram 26, 1428

KARACHI, Feb 14: The Karachi Port is going to start the dredging works of the basin and approach channels of the Pakistan Deep Water Container Port (PDWCP), which is being developed at the east of Karachi Groyne as a major regional transit and transhipment hub for handling current and future generation vessels.

The KPT has issued pre-qualification notice for hiring contractors to carry out dredging works which also include reclamation and marine protection work needed for the development of new deep water container port, according to a press release issued here on Wednesday.

Since the KPT is also going to develop cargo village in the western backwaters of the port it may enhance the scope of work as reclamation of land would be needed.

The feasibility study for the PDWCP was completed in mid 2005 in which construction of 10 berths was recommended at Keamari Groyne to cater the future requirements of country’s external trade.