KARACHI, July 16: A vessel MV Ocean Trader, carrying 36,000 metric tons of wheat imported from Ukraine berthed at Port Qasim on Wednesday.

A source in the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) said here that the ship will start offloading the wheat as soon as possible.

He said another ship MV Al-Abam Belle, loaded with 36,000 metric tons of wheat will arrive at Port Qasim on August 4.

The TCP has so far awarded contracts for the supply of 656,000 tons of wheat to eight firms under two tenders.

The latest contracts were awarded to six bidders for supply of 516,000 tons of wheat at a rate of $409.88 per ton on July 3, 2008, while the first contract was awarded to two firms for the supply of 140,000 tons of wheat at the rate of $399.45 per ton on June 18, 2008, for July shipment.

The government has tasked the TCP to import 2.5 million tons of wheat to meet its shortage.

The corporation has invited bids from pre-qualified foreign suppliers for the purchase of 250,000 tons of wheat of latest crop from international sources.

The tender will be opened on July 26 at TCP’s principal office.—APP