Berth day

Published January 6, 2013

pakistan-gadani-ship-breaking-revival-3

Today is a special day. A new ship arrives. The businessman, who spends four to five days of the week, at his shipyards, is happy to be receiving another ship, an oil tanker named Front Driver, after negotiations with agents at the brokerage house in London.

pakistan-gadani-ship-breaking-revival-4

The vessel can be seen far away on the horizon awaiting high tides to hit land. Fixing a red banner as a target for the beaching captain to drive his vessel towards, the workers make a circle as they pray for the safe beaching of the 285 metres long, 46 metres wide and 85 ft high 89,004-tonne bulk crude carrier owned by a Norwegian company.

pakistan-gadani-ship-breaking-revival-5

The carrier gave the Greenpeace activists several headaches during its time and at the ripe old age of 21 years, the bid for it at one billion was won by Pakistan. Every ship has its story and the story of Front Driver concludes at Gadani.

pakistan-gadani-ship-breaking-revival-6

The pace of the workers grew as contact with the beaching captain, Capt Siddique, was established on land. It was then only a matter of minutes before the ship coming in at top speed ran ground. Following the rummaging by customs at the shipyard, there was nothing else left to do but start work at once.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.