With a view to restoring Gwadar Port’s operational depth, de-silting activity is highly likely to be initiated next month.  If all goes well, the entire operation will be completed within six months hopefully by June 2023. The de-silting procedure and planning have gained traction as two processes of bidding including technical proposals and financial proposals are planned to be concluded within two weeks, Gwadar Pro reported on Thursday quoting Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Project Director (Maintenance of Dredging) Mr Nadeem. After the procedural formality culminates, the successful firm will be awarded the contract for dredging work to reclaim the lost depth of all berths of Gwadar Port. 

On a question, Mr. Nadeem said, two firms including one local company and one Chinese company participated in the bidding process and which will be deemed qualified as per set rules and regulations selected formally. Another GPA official told Gwadar Pro, that it is the second time that bidding has had to be initiated. This time the bidding opened on November 11. Currently two companies joined the bidding. The previous bidding process opened on August 16 and soon it had to be cancelled due to some technical reasons. Last time six companies including a Chinese enterprise came forward.

The total cost of dredging, he said, will be determined per cubic meter considering the scale of operation and the size of the area to be cleared from siltation. On a query, he said that around Rs. 1 billion has already been allocated for the dredging process in the current budget 2022-23. “The Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) has invited firms or contractors having sufficient experience in the relevant field, financially sound and suitably qualified in maintenance dredging of the navigation channel in accordance with prescribed tender documents” he added.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP