JULY - AUG 2020

TRADE CHRONICLE
PNSC changes crew onboard
MV Malakand at
La Reunion Island
PNSC remains steadfast and fully
committed to the safety and welfare of its
seafarers despite the challenges posed
by Covid-19.
Though crew changeovers and
repatriation of seafarers have become
serious challenge for ship owners globally,
PNSC has successfully managed crew
change on most of its vessels.
Recently, PNSC undertook crew change
of its vessel MV Malakand (Bulk Carrier) at
La Reunion Island in Indian Ocean.
Special helicopter was chartered to airlift
crew to and from vessel due to rough sea
state to ensure safe and timely
embarkation and disembarkation of
seafarers. So far, PNSC has completed
crew change on nine vessels. Concerted
efforts are in hand to effect crew changes
on remaining two vessels at the earliest
possible.
The government is seeking a foreign
developer to upgrade berthing facilities at
Gwadar port after it resumed Afghan
transit trade through the port that lies at
the nexus of Chinese-funded economic
corridor project, it was learnt on Friday.
New shipping policy termed
excellent step
New shipping policy announced by Syed
Ali Haider Zaidi Federal Minister for
Maritime Affairs is an excellent step
towards promoting private shipping
industry, eventually the logistics support
services, port services, road transport,
warehousing, cool
chains, silos and
growth of seafood
e x p o r t s , s a i d
Ateequr Rehman
E c o n o m i c &
Financial Analyst.
H e a d d e d t h a t
n a t i o n a l i z a t i o n
policy of 1972 was
havoc, complete
collapse of shipping
industry; it rather
d e s t r o y e d t h e
country's vibrant
shipping industry.
H e s a i d , t h i s
s h i p p i n g p o l i c y
hope fully not only
attract massive
investment but also replenish the sick
shipping industry thus create huge
employment. He said that according to
policy the vessels registered in Pakistan
and becoming national flag carrier would
be exempted from custom's duty till the
year 2030. Other insensitive include
exemption of Sale Tax & Income Tax of all
Govt seeks international contractor
to upgrade Gwadar port
part of Chinese belt-and-road initiative
envisaging infrastructure development in
income of the registered ships. Further,
the most important incentive for the
Pakistani Flag Carriers would be the first
birthing right.
He appreciated SBP for their long term
3% financing facility for those who
acquire ships and vessels flying the
Pakistani flag. This will not only help the
investors to buy cargo ships, but also tug
boats, dredger, fishing boats, etc.
He mentioned that our deep sea fishing
sector has enormous potential having
vast coastline.
These insensitive moreover will help
growing our fish and sea food exports to
new heights and over come the
difficulties of surpassing trade deficit.
Gwadar port has an existing capacity to
handle 50,000 deadweight tonnage bulk
carriers at the rate of 12.5 metre
maximum depth. The port has three
multipurpose berths and each is 200
metres long. “Given the expected rapid
growth in demand for port capacity, the
authority continues expanding the
capacity of Gwadar port,” said an official
document.
Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) floated
international tenders for the up-gradation
of berthing facilities, supply and
installation of a floating jetty and cranes at
the port. The bids were from firms for
supply and installation of equipment for
safety of navigation.
Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan
province, housing the port, is an integral
70 countries. Under China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor project, the port
because of its proximity to Chinese
province is to be used as trade spot
between Asia and other parts of the
world.
Gwadar port is being developed at the
cost of about $600 million. Additional
three berths will be constructed in two
years, according to the document.
Traffic at Gwadar port is expected to
increase after government allowed transit
trade imports, both containerized and
bulk, for onward transportation to
Afghanistan.
TRADE CHRONICLE - July .~ Aug. 2020 - Page # 20