Singapore bags Gwadar Port

Islamabad: The Ministry of Ports & Shipping has sent a summary to the Prime Minister for appointment of Singapore Port Authority, out of the four finalists, as operator of Gwadar Seaport, according to official sources.


They said that Singapore Port Authority has been selected because of its sound financial position with a vibrant cluster of maritime activities and technical and management skills. Six leading world seaport operating companies of Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, China, and Singapore had taken part in the bids for the award of the contract for operating the Gwadar Seaport.


Sources said that appointment of the seaport operator, and provision of necessary infrastructure had cleared the way to much delayed operation of the Gwadar deep seaport.


Singapore merchant fleet is the largest in Asia and fourth largest in the world, and spearheads attractive programmes for the maritime industry. It is noted for its wide range of maritime services, including pilotage, towage, heavy lift services, offshore support, salvage work, fresh water supply, crew change, ship supplies and slop disposal, among others.


Pakistan's strategic Gwadar deep seaport is expected to boost trade with landlocked Central Asian Republics, Afghanistan, China and become hub of the trade and commercial activities in this region.