KARACHI, Aug 25: After the collapse of berth No 10 and 14 the Karachi Port has adopted measures to ensure zero waiting time for ships through cargo handling on a fast track.

A spokesman of the KPT said since the berthing rate at the port had been nearly 50 per cent, therefore, enough capacity exists to handle all calling ships without any delay.

He further said that up-till-now there was no reason for a shipping line to increase its freight rates. The ships are being handled in time and congestion has not occurred with the result that ships waiting time continues to be zero. The export and import cargo handled during the last ten days remained above average, the spokesman claimed.

Spelling out some of the measures adopted to meet the situation after the collapse of two berths the KPT spokesman said that all geared container vessels would be berthed at PICT and KICT container terminals from next month.

Ships having minimum 600 tons manifested cargo capacity will qualify for a clear berth. Vessels carrying less than this quantity will be given abreast berths and cargo discharge will be through barges.

Port users have been directed to store 25 to 30 per cent export cargo prior to the berthing of ship. This will help in faster turn around of vessels. Berth No 26 which had been assigned to KICT for future development will be used by KPT to meet the present requirement.

Cargo including timber and logs will continue to be handled as per the previous practice and there is no reason for an increase in handling charges, the spokesman said.

He claimed that ever since the collapse of two berths the cargo handling activity as well as ships movement had increased and no problem had been faced by the port users at any stage.