One of the world’s largest tanker demolition countries is set to make a return after 14 months out of the business.
Brokers have been suggesting that tonnage is already being purchased that is penciled in for demolition in Pakistan.
Speaking at TradeWinds Ship Recycling Forum in Hamburg, the Pakistan Ship Breakers Association’s Saleem uz Zamen confirmed that the country is edging toward a return.
He said Pakistan could be back in the market in less than a month.
“Pakistan is fully ready to open up for tankers,” he told the conference.
He said that the country’s breakers, through its industry association, had asked the government to impose a tanker import ban 14 months ago because safety measures such as gas free requirements were not being followed.
However, yards have now developed the safety processes through a series of standard operating procedures (SOP) that tackled the problem.
“They (SOPs) are now under review and are being assessed and will allow the reopening of Pakistan to tankers,” uz Zamen said.
A fire on the suezmax tanker Aces at Gadani that claimed 18 yard workers lives in November 2016 led to the ban on tanker imports.
