..AND NEW EQUIPMENT TOO
Calcutta Port Trust is to undertake a major investment in the Calcutta Dock System, involving MHCs, RTGs, reachstackers and terminal tractors/trailers. One RTG will enter operation by May, bringing to four the number of RTGs available within the Dock. At present, there are seven reachstackers operational. of which two are owned by the Port Trust, two operated by it but hired from external contractors, whilst three are operated privately. The Trust will add a further two reachstackers, which it will buy outright.
Pakistan’s Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping has praised the recent performance of Port Qasim Authority, saying the port has proved itself to be very efficient, cost competitive and having great potential vis-a-vis competing regional ports. The committee also emphasised that established procedures were being followed and that the PQA was undertaking business in a thoroughly transparent manner. The authority will be able to call upon part of the €111m fund set up by the government to enable further expansion to take place at Pakistan’s ports.
Similarly, the fleet of 22 existing tractor-trailer combinations will be strengthened through the acquisition of an additional 10 (six bought and four leased). A third MHC will also be procured.
The equipment is needed given rising levels of throughput. In 2004-05, this amounted to 150,000 TEUs, although is expected to reach 200,000 TEUs during the current fiscal year.
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