KARACHI, June 13: The Karachi Port Trust KPT is going to launch the “Reconstruction of Napier Mole Wharf” project, today.

The project will be inaugurated by inaugurated by federal communication and railway minister, Lt-Gen Ashraf Javed Qazi. It is to be completed within the next eighteen months.

The cost of the projected is estimated at Rs165.9 million which will be provided by the KPT. The wharf would be utilized for export and import of fruits, dates, skins and livestock by country crafts and boats which operate between Karachi and other regional ports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Bander Abbass.

The project is expected to boost the local boat and craft industry in a big way. It is part of the KPT’s modernization plan to privatize port facilities and upgrade the infrastructure.

The KPT had commenced work on installation of the latest gantry cranes by the end of the previous year on berths 4 and 5 at east wharf, and in April this year berths 6 and 7 at the same wharf were handed over to the Premier Mercantile Services as a step towards privatization.

The reconstruction of oil pier-11 and the deepening of the approach channel to the harbour will start in August and September this year respectively.—PPI