KARACHI: Pakistan created history with the docking of two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-carrying ships “in one tide” at Port Qasim, Karachi, in the early hours of Saturday. The mooring has also averted the emerging gas crisis in the country.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi tweeted, “kudos to our team at Port Qasim. History has been written today.” Chandna, who led the one-tide operation, elaborated that the ships needed a specific sea tide for docking at the berths.
An LNG-loaded ship also arrived at the outer anchor on Thursday evening but it was unable to find the required high tide in daylight as pilots did not navigate in late evening and in the night.
In the meantime, the second ship arrived on Friday night. Simultaneously, the delay was already leading to gas shortage in the country.
Industry sources said the gas would be transported to the power houses, CNG fuel stations, industrial and commercial sectors, and other users in Punjab through pipeline networks of Sui gas companies.