KARACHI, Dec 8: The Karachi Port has embarked upon an extensive modernization plan to enhance its shipping and cargo handling capacity by inducting new fleet of craft required to boost its efficiency to effectively compete with other ports of the region.

According to official sources, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) would procure various craft including harbour tugs, dredgers, hopper barges, anchor hoist vessel, pilot boats and water barges.

After the induction of these craft the efficiency and operational capacity of the Karachi Port would significantly improve to the best interest of port users, the sources said. Most of these craft would replace the present fleet which has out lived its life span.

The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) had already allocated Rs4085 million record funds for the procurement of these craft in its annual development programme for the financial year 2003-04, which was 49 per cent higher than the previous year.

The KPT is not seeking any foreign loans or assistance for the upgradation of its craft and would provide finance from its own resources.

Presently the KPT has five harbour tugs which have completed their recommended life. Out of these two are unrepairable and their maintenance is not viable. The condition of other two tugs, which are also 25 years old, was rapidly deteriorating because of heavy workload.

The port plans to construct two harbour tugs at a package price of Rs195 million reached with the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW).

Similarly, out of existing fleet of six hopper barges, four are more than 30 years old. Their working efficiency has considerably dropped resulting in their being uneconomical and low utilization.

Sources said that at least two hopper barges were required for operational utilization of stationary-type of dredging which could not work without these barges. The budget for acquiring two hopper barges had already been approved by the KPT board and the government. Consequently, offers are being invited by the KPT through international tender.

An anchor hoist vessels used for the maintenance of channel navigational aids is being procured at an estimated cost

of Rs250 million. Presently, there are two anchor hoist vessels, both of them are of 1960

vintage. KPT sources said that one has been rendered unfit for safe and proper use while the other is used with restrictions.

As the working efficiency of anchor hoist vessels have dropped down, the maintenance of channel navigational aids was being affected seriously. Particularly, in the monsoon season it becomes difficult to keep the navigation lights and buoys maintained for ensuring round the clock safe and efficient operations of vessel traffic, which is a vital factor for efficient port functioning.

The port is exploring the possibility of procuring a trailer suction hopper dredger (upto three years old vintage) with hopper capacity of more than 6000cubm. The dredger would be equipped with two suction pipes, two dredge pumps, two jet pumps, two bow thrusters and would be capable of dredging up to 20 meters depth for all kinds of soil. The estimated cost of the dredger is around Rs2350 million and the KPT board has already granted approval.

As the port is targeting to handle larger vessels to meet the scale of economies, therefore, it was pertinent that the deepening of channel up to 12 meter draught should be carried out. Without trailer suction hopper dredger this task could not be achieved, sources said.

For quick and safe movement of vessels within the port area as well as approach channel the pilot boats play a major role. However, the KPT, presently, had five pilot boats out of which two (Amina and Asma) are very old (acquired in 1988) and have outlived their useful life.

The sources said that a minimum of four operationally reliable pilot boats are required by the port to meet the growing traffic of ships. The situation is presently so difficult that out of two boats, at least one boat remains under maintenance and the other cannot gather speed up to 12-15 knots, which is essential for pilot boats.