KARACHI, March 29: A number of port users have shown keen interest in the country’s third port at Gwadar which was inaugurated by President General Pervez Musharraf on March 20. The port operators, Singapore Port Authority (SPA), are presently holding preliminary meetings with authorities concerned for fixing tariffs and port charges which will be announced in a period of one month, official sources told Dawn on Thursday.

Strategically located at the entrance of the Gulf and about 460km west of Karachi, the Gwadar Port is also close to the Strait of Hormuz from where about 60 per cent of world oil moves out and is in the proximity of Central Asia and China.

Official sources said a number of port users have approached the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) showing keen interest in bringing their cargoes through the Gwadar port.

Most of the port users want to take the advantage of proximity of distance and feel that they could cut their freight charges as well as time.

These sources said foreign companies involved in copper mining and exploration works have also approached the Gwadar Port Authority.

Presently a number of Canadian, Australian and Chinese companies are operating in mining business in Balochistan and are of the opinion that they could save a lot of money by bringing their cargo from the Gwadar port.

Similarly, export of copper could also be cheaper through the Gwadar Port as it will save a long distance of about 460km when exported from Karachi ports.

Recently a delegation, comprising Canadian, Australian and Chinese companies, met the GPA high-ups to collect basic facts about the operational activity of the port.

The most encouraging development, the sources said, was the keen interest shown by a group of the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) for bring their cargo through Gwadar Port and benefit from the proximity of distance of around 460km.

Presently around 300 containers per month pass through the Karachi port for onward haulage to Afghanistan.

However, if the ATT cargo shifts to Gwadar, it will give a big boost to the new port because there are already road networks up to the Iranian border.

Similarly, all local and foreign companies operating in Balochistan in mining and exploration works will also benefit the port as substantial cargo will start flowing through the port.

The GPA officials said the Singapore Port Authority is presently planning to bring second-hand two gantry cranes and two RTGs to gear up operations at the port.

Responding to a question, sources said presently almost all the world manufacturers of gantry cranes and RTGs are fully booked and if the SPA even goes for booking, it will take years to get new cranes and RTGs but the port could not wait for a long for becoming fully operational, particularly if it wants to handle containerised cargo.

Presently there are five installed cranes at the berths and two mobile cranes, but they could only handle bulk cargo. Besides, there are two tugs and two pilot boats with one survey and one working boat and a mooring boat.

Gwadar is the only port with a RoRo facility which means any heavy moving cargo could directly land on the berth without using cranes.

It has ultra-modern satellite system with VHF/HF facility. There is a desalination plant to meet the water needs of the port and could also be used for bunkering.

A 4.5mw powerhouse is there to meet the electricity needs of the port and oil storage tank of 50,000 gallons with expansion provision of up to 150,000 gallons.

There is a transit shed and a separate place for dangerous cargo and two weigh bridges. A reefer cargo space fully equipped with refrigeration facility is also available.