KARACHI: The Port Qasim Authority (PQA) is acquiring two tug boats of 75 bollard pull each at a cost of $14.5-15 million to meet the shortage of tugs for handling LNG ships.

An LNG ship normally needs four tugs at a time to bring it into the harbour.

Talking to Dawn, PQA Chairman Agha Jan Akhter said the port needed more tug boats to avoid delays amid increased traffic of vessels.

He said the PQA is looking into the possibility of acquiring four more tug boats in the near future. There has been a tremendous increase in the traffic of vessels after the construction of new berths, including ones dedicated for LNG, dirty cargo and bulk grain cargo, he added.

Mr Akhter said the order for the two tug boats has been placed with Turkish firm Uzmar Co following a tender bidding.

Prices of tug boats in the international market are currently low, which is one of the reasons the PQA is keen to place more orders, he added.

Depending on the availability of funds, the PQA will acquire three more tugs of 75 bollard pull and one of 85 bollard pull, he said.

He said the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) purchased a non-LNG tug at a cost of $20m in 2011. Similarly, the PQA purchased a 65 bollard pull tug from the same Turkish company in 2012 at a cost of $10m, he said.

The LNG-specific tugs usually cost more as they are designed to handle the inflammable cargo safely.

He further said there were quotations of up to $22m for each tug of 65 bollard pull. Having worked with the Turkish brand in the past, the PQA opted for the company as it offered the tug at an affordable price, he added.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2017