Korangi harbour to get Rs120m floating jetty by June

ISLAMABAD: Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Saturday that work has started on an environmentally friendly floating jetty at the Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KoFHA), a project valued at Rs120 million and intended to support the offloading of export-quality fish.

The announcement came during a meeting of the KoFHA board chaired by the minister. The meeting was attended by KoFHA Director General Dr Shahid Aslam, Chairman Abrar Asim and other board members.

According to the minister, the project is aimed at improving facilities for small-scale fisherfolk and is expected to be completed by June. He said the floating jetty would provide safer and more dependable access to the water while helping ensure the efficient landing and unloading of fish catches.

He said the initiative was expected to improve day-to-day operations at the harbour and open up fresh economic opportunities for coastal communities linked to the fisheries sector.

Designed for tidal conditions

The board meeting was informed that the floating jetty, unlike a fixed structure, would rise and fall with tidal changes. This feature would reduce reliance on water levels and allow fishing vessels to maintain access without interruption.

Officials were told that this would help fishermen manage their catch more effectively regardless of tidal conditions. The minister said better access would also cut the time needed between fishing trips, allowing fishermen to spend more time at sea while lowering operating expenses.

He added that the floating jetty was especially suitable for shallow-water locations where conventional fixed jetties were not practical.

The project has been framed as part of efforts to strengthen harbour infrastructure for the fisheries sector, particularly for smaller fishing operators who depend on reliable landing points and smoother handling of their catch.

The minister said the new facility would support the offloading process for export-quality fish and improve working conditions linked to fish landing operations at Korangi harbour.

During the meeting, participants were briefed on the expected operational advantages of the structure, including uninterrupted vessel access and improved efficiency in unloading. The minister said these improvements would contribute to safer handling, quicker vessel turnaround and reduced costs for fishermen working from the harbour.

He described the start of construction as an important development for the harbour and for the fishing communities expected to benefit from the new facility once it is completed.