KARACHI, Aug 22: The Korean contractor engaged for the reconstruction of old berths at the Karachi Port arrives on Thursday to discuss the construction methodology and sequence with the KPT authorities, official sources said.

After the collapse of berths 10 and 14 at East Wharf on August 10-11, an all together different and pressing situation has emerged for which the port authorities plan to take the construction work of the collapsed structures first.

The Korean contractor M/s Ssangyong, who was pre-qualified by the KPT last year offered the lowest bid of Rs5.52 billion for the construction of five berths (14 to 17 and 17A) along with a ship repair berth (SBR).

However, with a totally changed and compelling situation after the berths collapse the ministry of ports and shipping has asked the KPT to change its construction schedule by taking up the reconstruction work first on war footing.

After the collapse of berths (10 and 14), six other adjoining berths also suffered stress and almost became unsafe for shipping. Consequently, this has warranted for the port authorities to take the reconstruction work of these berths immediately.

The KPT authorities on the directives of the ministry are expected to take up the matter with the Korean contractor on Thursday for a change in methodology as well as sequence of construction of berths.

Sources told Dawn that originally the contractor was to take up the construction work of five berths 14 to17 and 17A along with SRB for which a bid of Rs5.52 billion was submitted by him.

The KPT had been already working on a project for reconstruction of all the old and time-barred berths at East and West wharves.

Consequently, the Thursday meeting between the KPT and the contractor is very crucial because the collapsed and damaged berths have to be attended at the earliest. Presently, the local contractor of the Korean company is already working on shoring job of the collapsed jetties.

A stable slope with hand packed stone boulders is being prepared in order to protect the filled area from further erosion. A geo-tech material (fabric) is first being laid on the sea bed to contain the remains of the collapsed jetties.

Sources in the ministry of ports and shipping said that the reconstruction of all the old berths at the Karachi Port was already under process. The KPT also got budget approval from the board in 2005-06 for the reconstruction of berths at East Wharf.

After pre-qualification of consultants for planning and detailed designing of berths 10 to 17A at East Wharf the KPT board on June 7, 2006 approved M/s Scott Wilson in association with M/s Zaheeruddin consultant.

As per the schedule given by the consultant an inception report was to be given on October 10, 2006, preliminary design report on December 2006 and detail design report on June 8, 2007.

As the detailed design was not available at a time when the KPT pre-qualified contactors and accepted lowest bid of M/s Ssangyong on March 24, 2007, some minor details of the contract, including security concerns of the Korean company, remained to be finalised between the two parties.