October 14, 2008

Experts urge Pakistan not to build port at Keti Bunder

The Dawn reported that ports and shipping experts have cautioned the government not to rush for building a port at Keti Bunder without carrying out prior studies related to geological history of Indus delta to avoid problem of fast silting now being faced by Port Qasim. They referred to Indus Delta map and said that the Keti Bunder was approachable via Hajamaro creek, which runs beyond Ghora Bari.

Ports and shipping experts pointed out that initial planners and hydrographers at the time of conceiving Port Qasim in the 70’s could not rightly estimate the annual dredging quantum and cost, which was far low compared to the present USD 5 per cubic meter and cutter dredging cost of USD 20 per cubic meter. Consequently, the port is today faced with serious silting problem for which it has to foot colossal annual maintenance dredging cost, which runs up to PKR 1 billion to ensure an 11 meter draft.

The experts feared that once the port was deepened, as is being planned to 14 meter at a cost of USD 140 million, the maintenance dredging would also shoot up. Furthermore, these experts said that the PQA 40 meter channel with sharp bends restricted night navigation, when compared to 3.5 kilometer long channels of the Karachi Port and Gwadar Port, where vessel can berth or sail faster.

They maintained that non availability of night navigation for deep draft vessels and long channels are considered as disadvantage in port planning. The other aspect of the new port is that there should excellent hinterland connectivity before the port is built. They added that "We must learn from the experience of Gwadar Port, which is handicapped due to non existent hinterland connectivity."

They further added that the next generation vessels required draft ranging from 16 to 21 meters thus a site, which is prone to heavy siltation costing billions in dredging, be only considered after hydrographical surveys and financial feasibility.