KARACHI, March 6: Five ships carrying containers, high speed diesel and chemicals are expected to arrive at the outer anchorage on Thursday, according to KPT sources.

Ship movements at the wharves were relatively slow owing to delayed arrivals. As a result, eight ships were berthed and sailed out. The berth occupancy at the dry wharves fell to 29 per cent, while it was maintained on the higher side at the BOPs at 67 per cent thanks to steady calling by the tankers.

The ships, which got berths included Swat, MOL Sincerity to unload and load containers and Freedom-11 to load molasses after the sailing of five.

The departing ships were led by Kota Sejarah, Boontrika Naree, Al-Jabber-111, NCC Jouf and Bow Viking, while Hyderabad, Mosa, Stolt Sakra and Kindia are due to sail out on Thursday.

Cargo handling activity at the wharves was modest as the total tonnage handled fell below the average figure of 50,000 tons at 42,555 tons comprising 11,993 tons of export cargo including 1,993 tons of rice and 30,562 tons of import tonnage.

The following ships are due on Thursday: Gulf Trader, with chemicals, Al-Maqwa, with high speed diesel, Dubai, Meteor and Cape Bonavista, with containers.