According to the Pakistan Shipping Industry and Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), an export consignment of rice from Pakistan was delayed due to no berth allocation to the foreign-flag vessel at Port Qaim. Reportedly, a vessel MV Occitan Pessac arrived at the port to load the rice cargo but could not succeed due to allocating the designated berth to another vessel for offloading of sugar.

While drawing the government’s attention, the REAP pointed out that the berthing of the subject vessel was scheduled for October 05, 2021, and rice cargo is ready in port at berth. However, it was surprising to note that the berthing of rice cargo at the subject berth was cancelled. In contrast, a sugar vessel that arrived on September 29, 2021, was allocated the berth on October 05.

In a letter to the Ministry of Commerce and Maritime Affairs, the acting Chairman of REAP stated that the rice cargo has been in the queue since September 23. Also, shipment of rice is urgently required as significant financial losses to our rice exporters and defame the image of our country.

The REAP requested the government look into the matter on a top Priority basis and arrange berthing of the subject vessel at the earliest to safeguard our members.

Separately, AnzaTrade Private Limited, Karachi has informed the Chairman of Port Qasim Authority (PQA) that the port authority has opted to ignore a long-standing precedent of berthing vessels according to their turn in the queue. It remarked, “Our Principals (the Charterers) and the Owners had instructed us to commence legal proceedings as soon as the Pilot, who was already onboard the MV Occitan Pessac on October 04, was called back without berthing the vessel.”

Regretfully, this has not been the case, and MV Quang Vinh 89 has birthed out of turn. Thus, we have no option but to seek legal advice if rice loading cannot be resolved at the earliest.

(Contributed by Capt Asim Iqbal, shipping expert in Pakistan)