Gwadar Port starts operation informally
MONITORING DESK
GWADAR (November 12 2004): The Gwadar Port started its operation informally when a Chinese ship with 20,000 dead weight anchored here on Thursday. Talking to a private TV channel, Akbar Ali Tasmani, Chairman, Gwadar Port Authority, said the arrival of a Chinese vessel should not be called an informal inauguration of the port. He, however, said work on the port has substantially been completed. Tasmani said the formal inauguration of the port would take place in January next year.
He said the first phase has already been completed and the second phase would be completed soon.Asked whether China will have exclusive rights in the Gwadar Port, Tasmani said it would be an open port and there was no plan to grant exclusive rights to any country or shipping company.He said the authority was looking for international or local operators to run the port.The first phase of this project was constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company Group at a cost of $248 million.
China has offered $198 million in assistance while the government of Pakistan is providing $50 million for the first phase of the project. A comprehensive agreement was signed with China on March 16, 2002 in Beijing. In addition to a deep seaport, a free industrial zone and Makran Coastal highway are also under construction.