It was Saturday, the 18th of April, when the Prime Minister inaugurated the dredging and reclamation works. The evening was sultry and humidity was high, but it was well organised spectacular and elaborate show followed by fire work. One can rightly say it was extravaganza. While all went well, but rubrics by an insolent compere offended the community of journalists.
Truly it was undesirable/uncalled for and comperes may not be permitted to speak extempore. The Minister and the GM P&D of KPT took pains in arranging such a mega event after a long pause, who should be commended, as it was an impressive display in all respect, except the poignant episode, which resulted in no or poor coverage.
It is also true that some critics and interest do not subscribe to such project and I respect their views. However, I being an independent writer would try to deliberate on merits and demerits and the history of deep water ports in the world without prejudice.
A deep water port is any port that may accommodate fully laden post panamax vessels. The concept of deep water port first emerged in 1970 to facilitate Lousiana Offshore oil Port (LOOP) in accordance with Section 863(C) (2) of IRS in USA. Five oil majors clubbed to create deep water port in USA to accommodate super tankers. As a result the deep water port act of 1974, 33 USC-501 et SE2 ( "the Act" ) was enacted by congress in USA, in order to promote efficiency in transportation and protect the environment by establishing procedures for the location, construction and operation of deep water ports off the coast of United States.
A deep water port is defined under 33 US CS. 1502(10) as any man made structures other than vessels and similar appurtenances to the extent they are located seaward of the high water mark. The constitution, laws and treaties of USA shall apply as if such port were an area of exclusive Federal Jurisdiction located within a State. However, interestingly, the ACT 33 US SCS 1518 (d) excludes application of Custom Laws.
Gross income tax exemption is also available to foreign entrepreneurs and only net 4% tax is payable. The Netherlands and many other countries too have separate deep water port acts. However in Pakistan there is no such act, even KPT Act is 1886 (Bombay Act VI of 1886) duly amended from time to time without disturbing the main body of old Act, thus it is imperative that a deep water port act be enacted for smooth operation of the proposed new port.
The growth of container traffic due to unprecedented shipping boom, which lasted about ten years, South East Asia and Gulf region witnessed a growth of 18.4% comparing to 14% in the world. This could be a driving force in conceiving a deep water port. More so, Pakistani ports only handled captive cargo of 1.7 mill TEUS, including 100,000 transit boxes, whilst Colombo, Dubai, Salalah, Singapore, Hong Kong, Rotterdam, Schenzen and even Bander Abbas thrived on transshipment business. Port of Colombo only handles 30% captive cargo whilst 70% cargo is transshipment boxes and port is making good revenue with transshipment business, whilst our 3 terminals thrived on captive cargo and said to be generating excellent IRR of 30% plus on their investment.
When the deep water port was conceived in 2006, shipping was at its peak but plummeted in the end of 2008 laying about 477 container vessels and bankruptcy to many ship-owners, as the shipping bubble burst due to global meltdown. The volumes have been affected world-wide and in India, Singapore, Hong Kong and Schenzon volumes have dropped upto 19%, but port of Singapore is assisting the bleeding shipping lines by lowering its tariff by 35%. The above is true in today's perspective but there will be turnaround in economy world wide by 2014/15.
The strong argument in favour of building deep water port is that, it will not be ready before 2014, thus recession may be over and on completion of phase I of KDWEP it will have 1500m quay length to accommodate 5th and 6th generation container ships of over 350 LOA, 55.0 meter beam. Carrying about 10/1100 TEUS thus giving advantage on economy of scale, lower freight rates and initiating first time transshipment from KDWCP.
But an act is necessary to root out evils of KDLB, trade unions and of course, tariff compatible to transshipment ports. Unfortunately the 3 terminals at both ports are handling feeder vessels due to restrictions of draft, but KDWCP will cater to 16 m draft initially, thus saving our impo/expo double handling cost due to feederings. Trade will get edge on freight rates.
Due to economic glut it is the right time to build the asset as KPT with 40 billion rupees plus in coffers is only saving interest, but by building asset it will have multiplier effect and when recession is over, we will be ready to take the challenge. It is also true that most of the contractors world wide are idling and will be most willing to undertake any job even at break even to avert insolvency due to liquid cash flow crunch and tightening by banks.
I was amazed to learn that CWE has taken capital dredging on less than 8 USD per cu. meter when bench marked to 20 USD per meter in 2007/08. They are said to be dredging 33 million cubic meter at a cost said to be 220 mill USD, a peanut. However, the firm has no expertise in designing of navigable channel and ports, but they may sublet the assignment, due to their limited port skill, as they specialise in Dam / Reservoirs, Hydro power project etc. KPT and its consultants will have to keep an stringent eye on the scope of work awarded and to ensure they effectuate world class standards. The designing of channel, basins etc are highly specialised skill jobs, unlike laying rail tracks or roads with generalist experience.
Once dredging and reclamation is completed by CWE, the marine protection work may commence and project shall include construction of 3 break waters and sand dyke. The marine protection works may comprise three rocks or concrete ( CORE-LOC units, armoured break waters to provide shelter to the basin particularly in SW monsoons from May 15 to September 15th, when sea is extremely rough.
The latest breakwater technology must be used to prevent sedimentation and seepage of sand into basin. Dubai palms break water is a living example. It may cost 0.5 bill USD in today's market. KPT has already awarded two terminals based on landlord concept on BOT basis, which after construction of KDWCP, may cater to small feeder vessels and may give back up support.
After completion of dredging and break water the concessionaire M/s. HPH who are the leading terminal operators of the world will do civil construction of 1500 m quay wall and equip port with state of art gantries, RTGS etc to give fast turnover at KDWCP to calling ships.
It is expected that HPH will invest 457 mill UISD and it is said that they have already paid 50 mill USD to KPT and have shown commitment earlier too by completing KICT extension project at west wharves.
I do not wish to comment on KPT's projections of earning as it is too early to predict, as we have to wait and see the revival of shipping industry and economic glut, which has caused downward spiral, but as an optimist I see that recession will be over by the time KDWCP is ready in 2013/14 to handle ships. It is also true that DP world has backed out from QICT extension at Port Qasim and so from London gateway port, so is PSA from Hazira deep water port in India.
The future of Bombay gateway port is also in doldrums as Dravados the Spanish firm who got concession with Gammon India, has been sold out to China merchants, thus Indian Govt will never give NOC to a Chinese firm, as had been the case in earlier tender, when Turbo Larsen was denied due to Hong Kong connection.
The Colombo South Port is also in doldrums as no terminal operator came forward to bid. If KDWCP is ready prior to Colombo and Bombay, HPH may turn this into regional Hub for transshipment, but will have to compete with Dubai, Salalah, JNPT and Colombo. HPH will be testing its management/marketing and port operator skills to attract lines but KPT has to match its wet dues and avoid undue interference giving a free hand to HPH to market and operate the terminal. However the role of regulator in today's world is imperative. KPT is committed to make connectivity to cargo village and Northern Bye-pass which may cost 56 billion rupees as reported in media, but it will be a lifeline of project, otherwise the project will be hampered by operational delays due to congested connectivity to groyne.
The forecast in 2007 was world container volumes will touch 557 mill TEUS by 2010. Let's keep our fingers crossed and pray for early recovery of world from recession. HPH, being common carrier terminal operator may face tough time with Maersk and NOL, who have strong interest in Salalah and being shipowners as well as dedicated terminal operators may patronise their own terminals of Salalah for transshipment as it is handling 3.4 mill TEU and new concession with NOL: may double the capacity.
In today's world no one can make a firm forecast, but as the saying goes, I quote George Soros " Fear when greed is on and be greedy when fear is on. The 14 m plus deep water ports in the region are Singapore, Sohar, Salalah, Schenzen, Shanghai, Kakinada and Hazira (India) The proposed 16 m plus deep water port in India is Chennai, Vizhingam Kakinada, in Bangladesh is Sonadia near Cox's Bazar and Nobel Laureate Yunus has appealed to government to expedite the project. In Burma is Kyekphyu and Colombo South Port in Sri Lanka, whilst Qatar is going ahead with Khalifa deep water port.
I have penned down merits and demerits but feel apparently that KDWCP may be a success subject to economic revival. It may not hurt existing terminals as the case in Vietnam, Bangkok etc, where after building of deep water ports existing terminals are busy in feeder operation.
Maritime experts may form their own opinion but one thing is clear that port management skill is a faculty and can't be left to callow generalists, with no commercial maritime background. Ships are required to maintain their schedules and terminals have windows for every line, unlike bus or rail road. You may arrive a day later. The fixed operating cost of a container ship per day is 40/50,000 USD. The project has been initiated and now we look forward for the goal to be achieved.
TAIL PIECE: I have collected data of Khalifa Port, Sohar, Chennai etc and will be analysing data, bench marking KDWCP evaluation matrix, dredging, navigation report and simulated conditions in my next detailed write up subsequently. However, I would like to make humble recommendation for consideration of Ministry of Ports and Shipping.
As per World Bank/IMF and financial analysts, presently world economy suffers from toxic assets of 4.1 trillion USD and revival of economy is expected by 2013/14. However nothing is firm, thus we are blessed with sufficient time to look into recommendations. Let this project be considered as stimulus package to our economy.
ENACT A DEEP WATER PORT ACT: Form a cluster group of maritime industry, taking onboard existing terminal operators to address the impediments in the new Act. Spain and other countries do so to get the best inputs. Since shipyards are idling, it is time to negotiate building min two 85 tons Bollard Pull Tugs of Z-propellers because of 360 degrees steer able propellers.
A very intricate calculation is needed to establish the exact Bollard pull required to hold a ship,. Opposing a measured surface to beam wind blowing x meters/second. Acquire two Pilot Boats to face sea conditions upto Beaufort scale 8-9, safe working platform, large GM constructional strength to control collisions. Everyday and of coarse a speed of 20/25 knots.
Renegotiate all contracts as Saudi Arabia and others are doing. Induct 100 young engineers/MBAs strictly on merits to groom them in port development, designing, dredging etc. Make use of indigenous dredgers under Pak flag, be it private or public and avoiding minor jobs to foreigners. Pakistani companies should have priority.
Reclaimed area must be subjected to latest compactness Technology with Canadians and Dutch. Allowing nature to compactness is considered obsolete as was done at Gwadar. Generate maximum, employment of Pakistanis by making mandatory on contractors to impart training to our youth. Debate with critics with logic and technical data and convince.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The 'same people' mantra
Whenever, I visited India officially, it annoyed me as most of the bureaucratic and wholly-headed media and socialites said to be liberals, gave us the sermon that India and Pakistan are the same people. It was like a mission statement tailored to be given to all Pakistanis, with a soft note that the Partition was un-natural.
I listened without loosing my cool and intentionally avoided getting into any confrontation or argument to embarras my host. However I did communicate that I respect your views and I have equal rights to have my own views, which are contrary to yours.
The only person I come across, courtesy of a friend, was said to T.V., anchor and columnist of Hindustan Times, who vehemently debated and confronted the Indian Punjabi liberals to the effect that when it comes to India and Pakistan, we are the same people. He pleaded that it may be true before 1947 as Pakistan was part of British India and Punjabis from West Punjab were as Indian as, say, Tamils from Madras.
He deliberated that gap between the Tamils and Indian Punjabis have narrowed, thanks to improved communications, shared popular culture and greater physical mobility, the gap between Indians and Pakistanis has now widened to the extent that we are no longer the same people in any significant sense. I argued with the view of Indian columnist, however politely disputing that we were different even prior to 1947, even though we shared cultural values, neighbourhoods and gastronomic habits, but there were many dividing factors, last religion. It is true that we inherited some Hindu cultural customs due to the dominance of the majority Hindu populace.
To support my argument I quoted Guru Gowalker who posited in his book, published in 1939, that the North Pole was in India and fudged what would be akin to Wagner's theory of continental shift to justify the location of Indo-Aryans as people eternally rooted in India. Gowalker's theory has neither been denied or disowned by his followers.
It is a pity that it continues to help rationalise the imagined " Son of the Soil" claims of a few, whereas all other groups who come to India later are projected as invaders. The Muslim fall in the category of invaders. Thus how we could be same people, when we are not treated as sons of the soil, despite living together for generations. It is not easy to market your own ideas, although duly supported by logic and history. Some saner elements accepted them but Rhetoric, of the same mantra by government officials continued to brain wash us.
I, had the privilege of visiting many states in India and I can say that due to abject poverty many cities in particular, the city of Jaipur islands, on the main road near Hawa Mahal, are infested with various statues of gods and flowers and every Indian to me was far more religious than a Pakistani.
Indians are equally proud of their history and religion both, which is evident with temples, be it at Bombay or Amritsar, full of the masses. I was awakened at 4 am in my Clark hotel, with the Bhajans that continued upto 0800 hours. Thus religion in India too is a dominant force and the same is reflected by the BJP, whereas Islamists never win more than a few seats to form a federal or provincial government.
In spite of 123 separatist movements in India, the Bharat Mata has been a cohesive force, again a religious factor that needs not be elaborated. I was witness to a road show in Delhi where the Indian map was displayed and a leader in Safron cap was cursing us that the two hands of Bharat Mata, ie Pakistan and Bangladesh, have now been chopped off by invaders from the west.
I, agree the percentage of such fanatics may be minimal, but they do exist in secular India. We also cant deny such fanatics in our land of the pure. The suicide bombing invented by the Japanese in 40's was re-invented by PARBHAKARAN of LTTE who was trained in Tamil Nadu, and now our zealots are following same.
The majority of Pakistanis do not subscribe to extremism as the elections reflect, but some religious devotees feel so embattled and embittered by the questioning or rejection of their cherished beliefs that they are prepared to resort to murder, even indiscriminate mass murder as had been the case in Gujrat with Muslims and Christians in Orissa, so is the wave in Pakistan.
This only happens wherever fanaticism is mixed with resentment and ignorance to produce the hateful brew of what is done in the name of faith. Whilst watching the Indian media, it is astonishing to see that Indian leaders who in their election campaign, are promising a great past rather than future.
We, in Pakistan are unfortunate that due to poor governance / diplomacy we could not reflect a soft image of Pakistan, whereas in spite of religious / ethnic cleansing, Indians have been portraying their then soft image of an incredible / shining India. We must accept our failure that we could not project ourselves well. I have explained to my Indian friends that we don't have the same mind set, whilst Indians remain cool, we confront aggressively, damaging our case.
More so I have yet to meet an Indian in US/UK and Gulf, who publicly condemns a India irrespective of being a Tamil or Northeren, but we Pakistanis, as a fashion, in particular the well-to-do condemn Pakistan in public abroad, which is a shameful act, as there is nothing wrong with any country.
It is the governance to be blamed and we must not cast any aspirations on our motherland. We should learn from the Indians to restrain ourselves, at-least when abroad. I still recall a Pakistani cursing Pakistan a few years back on the US media, who has now been rewarded and is now a diplomat.
It gave me immense pleasure to read an article in the Hindustan Times of Saturday 14th March by Vir Sanghvi the famous anchor and columnist, at last agreeing that Indians and Pakistanis are poles apart, and the Indian mis-guided liberals who keep blathering on about us being the same people forget that in the 60 odd years since independence, our two nations have traversed very different paths. I tend to agree and only subscribe to his above observation and not the article in totality.
Pakistanis are well advised to see the Slum dog millionaire' to know the real face of shining India. The movie has exposed the poverty of a G-20 nuclear and most cherished state in the US and West.
Some in the Sub-continent try to palliate or even excuse the crimes committed in the name of religion in human history by invoking the glorious art and music it has produced, to which the answer is that Greek mythology and secular avocations have done the same, without burning anyone at the stake in process.
I am the fervent opinion that we live and trade as good neighbours whilst respecting each other mutually, without any hegemony, as two different nations but good neighbours and friends, forgetting the past aiming for a prosperous future for South East Asia. I am sure this is achievable if we don't mix religion with governance and draw political mileage out of religion.
I listened without loosing my cool and intentionally avoided getting into any confrontation or argument to embarras my host. However I did communicate that I respect your views and I have equal rights to have my own views, which are contrary to yours.
The only person I come across, courtesy of a friend, was said to T.V., anchor and columnist of Hindustan Times, who vehemently debated and confronted the Indian Punjabi liberals to the effect that when it comes to India and Pakistan, we are the same people. He pleaded that it may be true before 1947 as Pakistan was part of British India and Punjabis from West Punjab were as Indian as, say, Tamils from Madras.
He deliberated that gap between the Tamils and Indian Punjabis have narrowed, thanks to improved communications, shared popular culture and greater physical mobility, the gap between Indians and Pakistanis has now widened to the extent that we are no longer the same people in any significant sense. I argued with the view of Indian columnist, however politely disputing that we were different even prior to 1947, even though we shared cultural values, neighbourhoods and gastronomic habits, but there were many dividing factors, last religion. It is true that we inherited some Hindu cultural customs due to the dominance of the majority Hindu populace.
To support my argument I quoted Guru Gowalker who posited in his book, published in 1939, that the North Pole was in India and fudged what would be akin to Wagner's theory of continental shift to justify the location of Indo-Aryans as people eternally rooted in India. Gowalker's theory has neither been denied or disowned by his followers.
It is a pity that it continues to help rationalise the imagined " Son of the Soil" claims of a few, whereas all other groups who come to India later are projected as invaders. The Muslim fall in the category of invaders. Thus how we could be same people, when we are not treated as sons of the soil, despite living together for generations. It is not easy to market your own ideas, although duly supported by logic and history. Some saner elements accepted them but Rhetoric, of the same mantra by government officials continued to brain wash us.
I, had the privilege of visiting many states in India and I can say that due to abject poverty many cities in particular, the city of Jaipur islands, on the main road near Hawa Mahal, are infested with various statues of gods and flowers and every Indian to me was far more religious than a Pakistani.
Indians are equally proud of their history and religion both, which is evident with temples, be it at Bombay or Amritsar, full of the masses. I was awakened at 4 am in my Clark hotel, with the Bhajans that continued upto 0800 hours. Thus religion in India too is a dominant force and the same is reflected by the BJP, whereas Islamists never win more than a few seats to form a federal or provincial government.
In spite of 123 separatist movements in India, the Bharat Mata has been a cohesive force, again a religious factor that needs not be elaborated. I was witness to a road show in Delhi where the Indian map was displayed and a leader in Safron cap was cursing us that the two hands of Bharat Mata, ie Pakistan and Bangladesh, have now been chopped off by invaders from the west.
I, agree the percentage of such fanatics may be minimal, but they do exist in secular India. We also cant deny such fanatics in our land of the pure. The suicide bombing invented by the Japanese in 40's was re-invented by PARBHAKARAN of LTTE who was trained in Tamil Nadu, and now our zealots are following same.
The majority of Pakistanis do not subscribe to extremism as the elections reflect, but some religious devotees feel so embattled and embittered by the questioning or rejection of their cherished beliefs that they are prepared to resort to murder, even indiscriminate mass murder as had been the case in Gujrat with Muslims and Christians in Orissa, so is the wave in Pakistan.
This only happens wherever fanaticism is mixed with resentment and ignorance to produce the hateful brew of what is done in the name of faith. Whilst watching the Indian media, it is astonishing to see that Indian leaders who in their election campaign, are promising a great past rather than future.
We, in Pakistan are unfortunate that due to poor governance / diplomacy we could not reflect a soft image of Pakistan, whereas in spite of religious / ethnic cleansing, Indians have been portraying their then soft image of an incredible / shining India. We must accept our failure that we could not project ourselves well. I have explained to my Indian friends that we don't have the same mind set, whilst Indians remain cool, we confront aggressively, damaging our case.
More so I have yet to meet an Indian in US/UK and Gulf, who publicly condemns a India irrespective of being a Tamil or Northeren, but we Pakistanis, as a fashion, in particular the well-to-do condemn Pakistan in public abroad, which is a shameful act, as there is nothing wrong with any country.
It is the governance to be blamed and we must not cast any aspirations on our motherland. We should learn from the Indians to restrain ourselves, at-least when abroad. I still recall a Pakistani cursing Pakistan a few years back on the US media, who has now been rewarded and is now a diplomat.
It gave me immense pleasure to read an article in the Hindustan Times of Saturday 14th March by Vir Sanghvi the famous anchor and columnist, at last agreeing that Indians and Pakistanis are poles apart, and the Indian mis-guided liberals who keep blathering on about us being the same people forget that in the 60 odd years since independence, our two nations have traversed very different paths. I tend to agree and only subscribe to his above observation and not the article in totality.
Pakistanis are well advised to see the Slum dog millionaire' to know the real face of shining India. The movie has exposed the poverty of a G-20 nuclear and most cherished state in the US and West.
Some in the Sub-continent try to palliate or even excuse the crimes committed in the name of religion in human history by invoking the glorious art and music it has produced, to which the answer is that Greek mythology and secular avocations have done the same, without burning anyone at the stake in process.
I am the fervent opinion that we live and trade as good neighbours whilst respecting each other mutually, without any hegemony, as two different nations but good neighbours and friends, forgetting the past aiming for a prosperous future for South East Asia. I am sure this is achievable if we don't mix religion with governance and draw political mileage out of religion.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Save mother nature for posterity
It was most welcome news for Karachiites that government has approved 22 billion rupees for turning Karachi green from rocky / sandy and concrete jungle. The City Nazim has done bit of his work by planting button mangrove plants of conocorpus, which attains height and does not need water after five months. You can see these plants on islands of the roads being lush green, but more is needed to save the city from air and sewerage pollutions.
The sea is polluted by pumping daily raw sewerage of about 400 million gallons as the city can treat about 100 million gallons. You can notice the Karachi harbour, which receives the maximum city untreated sewerage, thus depleting the marine life and making fish catch around Karachi port and east coast unhygienic and unsafe for human consumption.
One wonder as to why Karachi Port having 40 billion rupees in coffers, do not come forward to install a sewerage treatment plant, if city government is restrained with finances, Pakistan Navy may also contribute being user of the port.
I, recall attending International Maritime Organisation Committee on Marine Environment Protection commonly known as MEPC. Most of the countries agreed to Marpol convention 73/78 Annex VI to check the emission from ships funnel, however Pakistan has yet to ratify Annex VI and ballast water convention for the reasons best known to concerned or unawareness.
We now see the light at the end of the tunnel as US President Obama is seriously concerned not only about economic melt down but equally on environmental degradation and have approved 86 billion USD to protect the environment. The burning of fossil fuels and destruction of forests are expected to increase the earths average temperature upto 5 degree by 2100.
The rise will create more stress on Asias already overtaxed environment and change the way we live. Sixteen countries spanning Pakistan to the Philippines. Home to 1.6 billion people in six of the worlds 25 largest cities. It is well documented fact that Himalayan glaciers will melt causing floods.
Silty run off will contaminate water supplies and clog our hydro electric projects. It is also feared that increase in temperature may cause low yield of rice and our farms will be vulnerable to new pest and natural disasters. It is also estimated by environmental Scientists that sea level may rise by one meter flooding coastal cities.
Malaria, dengue fever and schistosomiasis will move into new regions on the margins of current endemic areas. The above effects are only for tropical Asia, whilst effect will vary from temperate Asia to Australia. It is nothing new the world was aware of the problem, thus in 1997, governments around the globe agreed to give the 1992 convention on climate change some bite and adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which came into effect by 2005.
The protocol commits developed countries to achieve goals by 2012, however, Australia, USA , Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau and China did not sign the Protocol, which was a great set back. The green house gas emission continue to rise from coal powered plants, ships, aeroplanes and burning of fossil fuels.
The developed nations committed to reduce their collective emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide by at-least five percent by 2012, whilst EU agreed to 8 percent reduction and Japan 6 percent. The protocol is silent on any penalty for exceeding the targets.
The global response to Kyoto is talk fests, usually nothing gets done, but at least protocol has pushed governments to work together to ensure developed nations cant damage the economics of developing countries. It is well recognised truth that saving environment is expensive, so the countries that reduce emissions by more than their targets can sell their credits.
Countries can also benefit by financing international projects. Pakistan can also be benefited by selling its credit due to low industrialisation. Now all eyes are set on crucial UN meeting in Copenhagen in December.
Since taking power in the US Obama has signalled his readiness to enter into international agreement on reducing emissions to be negotiated in Copenhagen, in contract to his predecessor Bush, who dropped out to sign Kyoto, as protocol did not set binding targets for big developing nations ie BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China).
The Chinese have taken a logical position, that consumer countries may take responsibility for the carbon emissions generated in the manufacture of goods, not the producer country that exports them. A deal between China and USA is imperative as China overtook USA as the biggest CO2 emitter in 2006, due to its dependence on coal fired power and likely to remain in position for decades.
China blames Western consumers as Chinese claim that 15 percent and 25 percent of countries CO2 emissions resulted from manufacturing exports. Japan and EU do not buy the Chinese stance. The two positions appear ominously far apart and critical, but there appears to be sign and scope for rapprochement.
Chinese continue to argue that wealthy nations should contribute more, as they have historically responsible for the carbon emission. All friends of earth and environmentalist have pinned their hope of saving the mother nature to December UN summit. We are seeking justice from big polluters, USA, China, India and Russia to save the earth from further devastation, for our posterity.
The good news for International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and maritime fraternity is that in accordance with Marpol 73/78 Annex VI, a Singapore company has developed a ship exhaust scrubber CSNOX, a method of removing planet warming gases and soot from ship exhausts without causing secondary environmental damage.
This system will remove from ship exhaust 90 percent of Sulfur Dioxide, 80 percent Nitrogen Oxide 75 percent Carbon Dioxide. This new innovation is welcomed by IMO and MEPC and will help EU to enforce Annex VI by 2012. Airline industry must also come up with some solution as aeroplanes flying in stratosphere create artificial clouds due to emission and the heat is refracted to the earth.
Whilst the world is on move to arrest degradation of environment, we must increase our forest area and in particular join hand with the city government to make Karachi environmental friendly, green and free of pumping raw sewerage to our sea and also get rid of plastic bags.
Every one must contribute to save our city and country both. We must also ensure using of recycled water for farms and industries to meet growing need of fresh water. The knowledge of environment is a very necessary like grace and beauty. It breeds mutual liking and love for the mother nature.
The sea is polluted by pumping daily raw sewerage of about 400 million gallons as the city can treat about 100 million gallons. You can notice the Karachi harbour, which receives the maximum city untreated sewerage, thus depleting the marine life and making fish catch around Karachi port and east coast unhygienic and unsafe for human consumption.
One wonder as to why Karachi Port having 40 billion rupees in coffers, do not come forward to install a sewerage treatment plant, if city government is restrained with finances, Pakistan Navy may also contribute being user of the port.
I, recall attending International Maritime Organisation Committee on Marine Environment Protection commonly known as MEPC. Most of the countries agreed to Marpol convention 73/78 Annex VI to check the emission from ships funnel, however Pakistan has yet to ratify Annex VI and ballast water convention for the reasons best known to concerned or unawareness.
We now see the light at the end of the tunnel as US President Obama is seriously concerned not only about economic melt down but equally on environmental degradation and have approved 86 billion USD to protect the environment. The burning of fossil fuels and destruction of forests are expected to increase the earths average temperature upto 5 degree by 2100.
The rise will create more stress on Asias already overtaxed environment and change the way we live. Sixteen countries spanning Pakistan to the Philippines. Home to 1.6 billion people in six of the worlds 25 largest cities. It is well documented fact that Himalayan glaciers will melt causing floods.
Silty run off will contaminate water supplies and clog our hydro electric projects. It is also feared that increase in temperature may cause low yield of rice and our farms will be vulnerable to new pest and natural disasters. It is also estimated by environmental Scientists that sea level may rise by one meter flooding coastal cities.
Malaria, dengue fever and schistosomiasis will move into new regions on the margins of current endemic areas. The above effects are only for tropical Asia, whilst effect will vary from temperate Asia to Australia. It is nothing new the world was aware of the problem, thus in 1997, governments around the globe agreed to give the 1992 convention on climate change some bite and adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which came into effect by 2005.
The protocol commits developed countries to achieve goals by 2012, however, Australia, USA , Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau and China did not sign the Protocol, which was a great set back. The green house gas emission continue to rise from coal powered plants, ships, aeroplanes and burning of fossil fuels.
The developed nations committed to reduce their collective emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide by at-least five percent by 2012, whilst EU agreed to 8 percent reduction and Japan 6 percent. The protocol is silent on any penalty for exceeding the targets.
The global response to Kyoto is talk fests, usually nothing gets done, but at least protocol has pushed governments to work together to ensure developed nations cant damage the economics of developing countries. It is well recognised truth that saving environment is expensive, so the countries that reduce emissions by more than their targets can sell their credits.
Countries can also benefit by financing international projects. Pakistan can also be benefited by selling its credit due to low industrialisation. Now all eyes are set on crucial UN meeting in Copenhagen in December.
Since taking power in the US Obama has signalled his readiness to enter into international agreement on reducing emissions to be negotiated in Copenhagen, in contract to his predecessor Bush, who dropped out to sign Kyoto, as protocol did not set binding targets for big developing nations ie BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China).
The Chinese have taken a logical position, that consumer countries may take responsibility for the carbon emissions generated in the manufacture of goods, not the producer country that exports them. A deal between China and USA is imperative as China overtook USA as the biggest CO2 emitter in 2006, due to its dependence on coal fired power and likely to remain in position for decades.
China blames Western consumers as Chinese claim that 15 percent and 25 percent of countries CO2 emissions resulted from manufacturing exports. Japan and EU do not buy the Chinese stance. The two positions appear ominously far apart and critical, but there appears to be sign and scope for rapprochement.
Chinese continue to argue that wealthy nations should contribute more, as they have historically responsible for the carbon emission. All friends of earth and environmentalist have pinned their hope of saving the mother nature to December UN summit. We are seeking justice from big polluters, USA, China, India and Russia to save the earth from further devastation, for our posterity.
The good news for International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and maritime fraternity is that in accordance with Marpol 73/78 Annex VI, a Singapore company has developed a ship exhaust scrubber CSNOX, a method of removing planet warming gases and soot from ship exhausts without causing secondary environmental damage.
This system will remove from ship exhaust 90 percent of Sulfur Dioxide, 80 percent Nitrogen Oxide 75 percent Carbon Dioxide. This new innovation is welcomed by IMO and MEPC and will help EU to enforce Annex VI by 2012. Airline industry must also come up with some solution as aeroplanes flying in stratosphere create artificial clouds due to emission and the heat is refracted to the earth.
Whilst the world is on move to arrest degradation of environment, we must increase our forest area and in particular join hand with the city government to make Karachi environmental friendly, green and free of pumping raw sewerage to our sea and also get rid of plastic bags.
Every one must contribute to save our city and country both. We must also ensure using of recycled water for farms and industries to meet growing need of fresh water. The knowledge of environment is a very necessary like grace and beauty. It breeds mutual liking and love for the mother nature.
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