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Category: Ports and Shipping

  • Port Qasim advised to ensure environmental compliance in unloading soybean cargo

    Port Qasim advised to ensure environmental compliance in unloading soybean cargo

    KARACHI: Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has asked Port Qasim Authority (PQA) to ensure environmental compliance while unloading soybean cargo, officials said on Saturday.

    In a letter sent to PQA, the SEPA said that an incident was occurred on February 16, 2020 at Kemari and in the vicinity of Karachi Port Trust regarding deterioration of Air Quality due to dust emission.

    “As reported by the office of Commissioner Karachi on February 19, 2020 regarding the said incident that 10 persons died and 300 persons were affected in the area.”

    The SEPA further said that International Centre of Chemical and Biological University of Karachi has reported that soybean dust containing allergies were released from the ship was the main cause of said incident. It is now learnt through reliable sources that the same ship is intended to shift to Port Qasim for its further unloading.

    In this context, “it must be ensured that the dust emission expected to be emitted from the ship should be controlled for protection of human health and life.”

    “All precautionary measures must be ensured, so that adverse impact does not arise to the labors working at port and the population residing in the surroundings.”

    The SEPA also advised that PQA must submit plan to carryout Ambient Air Quality monitoring regularly thereby installation of Ambient Air Quality monitoring stations on permanent basis within the jurisdiction, mainly due to handling of coal and other air pollution sources including power plant and industries, as well as construction of projects.

    The agency asked the PQA to ensure the environmental compliance due to port operation and other installation/industries, in true spirit for improvement of air quality within the jurisdiction of Port Qasim.

  • No link of toxic gas leakage with soybean cargo: Shipping agents

    No link of toxic gas leakage with soybean cargo: Shipping agents

    KARACHI: Shipping agents association has strongly condemned the linking of toxic gas leakage with soybean cargo.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday they said that the first casualty was reported hours before discharging of soybean at Karachi Port Trust.

    The statement issued by Ships Agents Association and Stevedoring Conference, stated: “We strongly condemn the rumors that are circulating targeting Soybean cargo which was being discharged partly at Karachi Port Trust at berth no. 10/11 east wharf.”

    “It may be noted that cargo was discharged only during night of Sunday February 16, 2020 (discharging commenced at 19:00 hours) and day of Monday February 17, 2020 (discharging stopped at about 22:00 hours).”

    Total of more than 600 labor worked on the ship none of them have been affected, it said.

    This cargo has been arriving at Karachi Port since the last many years and up till now not a single incident has occurred or has been reported.

    When the cargo was being discharged the wind direction was North East (NE) which means that it was towards Manora direction not towards land.

    “We wish to also point out that the first person who was hospitalized was before the ship commenced discharging,” it said.

    Ship Agents Association and Stevedoring Conference strongly advise that we should try and investigate the true nature of this incident considering the ground realities rather than getting involved in rumor mongering or speculation.

    This cargo is used to make edible oil i.e. it is a agricultural commodity and does not have chemicals in it.

    Plant Protection department visited the ship on February 18, 2020 with gas detectors to check for any harmful or toxic gases. “No gases were detected,” it said.

    “We strongly recommend that this ship should not be shifted and cargo should be discharged at Karachi Port only.

    “We confirm that we along with labor force of about 2 to 3,000 will stay at Karachi Port Trust berth during discharging operations. We must have the courage of our convictions,” according to the statement.

  • High pollutants identified at Kemari; preliminary report on toxic gas released

    High pollutants identified at Kemari; preliminary report on toxic gas released

    KARACHI: A preliminary report related to toxic gas leakage near port area revealed high pollutants with presence of lethal gases.

    Global Environment Lab Private Limited on Tuesday issued its preliminary report related to incident of poisonous gas leakage in Kemari, Karachi.

    It said that recent incident of leakage of mysterious gas in the vicinity of Kemari, Karachi on February 17, 2020, claimed the lives of 11 people and affected hundreds of people as per media reports. However, the source of this gas is yet to be confirmed.

    Global Environmental Lab Pvt. Ltd. being socially responsible entity voluntarily monitored the air quality on number of locations on the request of Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).

    The objective was to assess the presence of toxic gases and their levels in the area. Levels of CO, NO. H2S, SO2, VOCs, O3, PM2.0 and PM2.5 were assessed.

    “The level of all pollutants were found to be higher than the allowable limits when monitored aournd midnight near Ziauddin Hospital Kemari,” the report said.

    However, the main source of gas leakage and reason for fatalities is yet to be confirmed.

    “The higher levels of pollutants at sea view are need to be assessed further as they may be due to local factors,” it added.

  • Port activity remains normal, no gas leakage reported: KPT chairman

    Port activity remains normal, no gas leakage reported: KPT chairman

    KARACHI: Rear Admiral Jameel Akhtar, Chairman, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on Monday said that the port activities are remained normal and there is no incident of gas leakage reported in port area.

    He was addressing press conference following the poisonous gas claimed five lives last day in Kemari near the Karachi Port.

    “I assure all that there is no leakage of any poisonous gas from port area,” he said, adding that the movement to and from city to the port area are remained normal.

    He said that handling of containers was normal at all berths of the port. “Nothing was happened at oil insulation area,” he said, adding that if such thing was happened how could it was possible that port staff worked normally.

    The chairman said that federal minister for ports and shipping had also visited the affected areas.

    The chairman said that the authorities were grieved over human losses.

  • KPT denies toxic gas leakage from port area

    KPT denies toxic gas leakage from port area

    KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has clarified new reports about leakage of toxic gas from inside port area.

    KPT spokesman in a statement on late Sunday night said that there has been no leakage of chemical or gases inside the KPT port area and from any berthed vessel/ship.

    “All safety precautions remain applied while handling POL or chemicals from ships at Karachi Port,” the spokesman said.

    The casualties being admitted in Hospitals are from northern side of keamari town and not from the port or immediate area and their statement was also about presence of chemical gases in air. “Linking the same with handling of chemical and POL ships is not correct and, therefore, denied,” the spokesman added.

    The KPT is offering complete support to the Keamari residents falling victim to chemical gas incident. “KPT Hospital located in Keamari area, being within the reach, has been made available to Keamari residents for treatment,” the spokesman added.

    Moreover, the Chairman KPT Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar has also had discussion with Commander Karachi Rear Admiral Zahid Ilyas over the incident and Pakistan Navy is dispatching their Biological and Chemical Damage control Team to the affected area and its vicinity for ascertaining facts behind the incident.

  • Mysterious gas kills four near Karachi Port

    Mysterious gas kills four near Karachi Port

    KARACHI: Leakage of poisonous gas from unknown place on Sunday killed at least four people and faint many others.

    Sources said that the location of gas leakage was still unknown. At first instance it was assumed that a shipped docked at the Karachi Port was main reason for gas leakage. However, port authorities rejected such claims saying no such ship was arrived at the port.

    Faisal Edhi of Edhi Foundation has confirmed four deaths due to the incidents. “Two bodies were at Ziauddin Hospital and other two were at Kutyana Memon Hospital,” he said.

    Faisal Edhi further said that the effected persons due to gas leakages were brought at the nearby hospitals of Kharadar and Kemari.

    Ali Zaidi, Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, in a tweet message said that he was shocked on the casualties due to poisonous gas.

    “The incident was not occurred at the port. However, officials of Karachi Port Trust (KTP) have been sent to the location for the investigation,” he added.

    He requested everyone to refrain from making any comments on the media till the facts are not known.

  • Hapag Lloyd revises requirement of NTN for Pakistan imports

    Hapag Lloyd revises requirement of NTN for Pakistan imports

    KARACHI: Hapag Lloyd has revised its announcement and now requirement of National Tax Number (NTN) of Pakistani importers is not mandatory any more, according an official memorandum of Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA).

    According to the official memorandum, the KCAA informed its members that in the previous announcement by the Hapag Lloyd regarding mandatory requirement of NTN of importer on Import Bill of Lading.

    KCAA initiated immediate action and approached the Competent Authority of MCC-Preventive and concerned Shipping Association i.e. PSAA and APSA.

    “Due to efforts of KCAA, the Hapag Lloyd has revised the announcement on their website and the requirement of NTN of importer is not mandatory anymore,” it said.

    Since only Container Ownership NTN field is appearing in the Pakistan Customs online system hence only Container Ownership NTN is required.

    Hapag Lloyd has updated the mandatory requirement for bills of lading to Pakistan.

    As per our previous announcement related to Pakistan Customs advisement of the required Importer National Tax Number (NTN), we understand that only Container Ownership NTN field is appearing in the Pakistan Customs online system and there is no field added related to Importer NTN.

    Therefore, only Shipper Own Container, SOC, unit NTN and Tariff for local charges, free time and detention tariff on the bill of lading will be implemented at this time.

    Once we receive notification that Pakistan Customs is ready for the Importers NTN, we will keep you updated accordingly.

    Presently, following two requirements of import bills of lading are implemented for Pakistan.

    1) Mandatory requirement to update Container Ownership NTN # (National Tax Number) on Bill of Lading for Shipper Own Container, SOC, units effective January 15, 2020.

    According to Pakistan Customs, all Carriers are bound to file Customs manifest including Container Ownership NTN# for Carrier Own Container and SOC units for each shipment.

    The Consignee NTN number is to be updated on the Bill of Lading which is released by origin office for SOC unit.

    All customers are requested to please provide your local importer NTN number along with the importer name and address while submitting the SI (Shipping Instructions) for SOC units.

    Pakistan Customs will not accept the manifest if the NTN number is missing.

    As per Customs rule, a non-manifested unit is not allowed to discharge at Pakistan and will remain on board at customer’s risk, cost and responsibility.

    2) Publication of Tariff on Bill of Lading Related to Local Charges / Free Time / Detention Tariff

    Effective immediately, according to Pakistan Customs Rules 2001 amended in Responsibilities of Licensee for imports into Pakistan, the Carrier is to update all local collect charges other than freight on the Bill of Lading itself. The Carrier must also state on the Bill of Lading the agreed free days and detention tariff per container.

    All shipments which will be discharged in Pakistan for clearance or in transit to Afghanistan, must reflect the required charges details.”

  • KPT asks terminal operators to ensure implementation of axle load regime

    KPT asks terminal operators to ensure implementation of axle load regime

    KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has asked terminal operators to ensure implementation of Axle Load Regime.

    In this regard the KPT sent letters to: Pakistan International Container Terminal, East Wharf; M/s. South Asia Pakistan Terminal Limited, South Wharf; Karachi International Container Terminal, West Wharf.

    The KPT informed the terminal operators that the ministry of commerce had amended in axel load regime, which should be implemented in its true letter and spirit.

    The ministry of commerce on January 15, 2020 issued notification on subject of implementation of Axle Load Regime on national highways and motorways.

    The notification said that implementation of Axle Load Regime on the National Highways and Motorways should be implemented as per provision of the relevant clauses of NHSO-2000. “However, penal provisions contained in Section 75(1) of the NHSO-2000 will be triggered once the weight of transport/goods vehicle exceeds 15 percent of the load prescribed in the Sixth Schedule.”

  • Worst weather halts flight operation at Skardu Airport

    Worst weather halts flight operation at Skardu Airport

    KARACHI: Worst weather conditions have halted flight operations at the world’s highest airports i.e. Skardu Airport, a statement said on Wednesday.

    Worst weather conditions at Skardu Airport, one of the world’s heighest airports, has halted flight operations.

    Skardu Airport is located at 7500 feet high and is considered one of the tallest airports in the world.

    Skardu Airport is also known as Lifeline Airport.

    Skardu Airport has experienced heavy snow fall from Sunday to Wednesday.

    More then 18 inch snow has been accumulated at airfield during the period.

    Snow removal work from car parking area, access road, runway and maneuvering area started on Tuesday at 09.00 hours Pakistan Standard Time (PST) with all available resources including one snow plough machine (Babcat) and 3 tractors.

    4000 feet of runway from threshold runway 14 has been cleared till Wednesday.

    Runway 14/32 is still blocked due to snow. Local administration is also helping Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in this regard.

  • Karachi Ports handles largest ever vessel

    Karachi Ports handles largest ever vessel

    KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has handled the largest ever vessel in the history of port activity in Pakistan with gross registered tonnage of 153,666 metric tons.

    A statement on Friday said that the KPT achieved another milestone while handling a giant container vessel COSCO BELGIUM at its SAPT terminal in South Wharf of Karachi Port.

    This is the largest ever vessel handled for the very first time at Karachi Port with length overall (LOA) of 366 meters, highest gross registered tonnage (GRT) of 153,666 metric tonnes and maximum beam of 51.20 meters.

    None of the Pakistani port has ever handled such a giant vessel in past.

    The Hong Kong flag vessel came alongside SAPT-3 berths at 8:10 pm Pakistan time under the personal command and supervision of Deputy Conservator KPT Captain Asif Ahmed Saeed Tauni while adopting all safety measures. It became reality under the able guidance and dynamic leadership of Chairman KPT Rear Admiral (R) Jamil Akhtar, Hi(M), T.Bt.

    KPT has previously handled vessels of LOA 354.24 meters, 128,929 metric tonnes GRT and 45.6 meters Beam.

    Chairman KPT Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar congratulated the entire operations team which participated in this landmark achievement.