KARACHI: A 14-storey cruise ship is set to end its nearly three decade long journey will be dismantled at the Gadani ship-breaking yard, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Maritime Affairs Mahmood Moulvi said on Tuesday.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CRUISE SHIP!!
— Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Govt of Pakistan (@MaritimeGovPK) December 7, 2021
Responding to the news reports and statements doing rounds on media,
SAPM on Maritime Affairs Mahmood Maulvi shares some important details and facts regarding the recent Italian Cruise Ship that arrived in Pakistan waters.@MoulviMahmood pic.twitter.com/sq3IsMQJhy
He rejected reports circulate rounds on social media that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs denied the cruise liner’s owner permission to use the ship for a ferry service or hotel.
“This ship was purchased for scrap,” the SAPM clarified in a video statement, adding that the 1,400 room cruise liner of Italian make was purchased for Rs 2 billion and brought to Pakistan to be dismantled and sold as junk.
He said the owner of the vessel under which the ship was bought clearly states that it would be scrapped, ruling out its use for a hotel or cruise.
Mahmood Moulvi maintained that neither the ministry nor the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) had received any request from the ship owner. “Our policy is quite clear. Whoever wants to bring a ferry to Pakistan can bring it, we will give permission,” he said.
Earlier, reports said that the owner of the vessel, Ahmadullah Khan, Celestyal Experience, formerly known as Costa Romantica, approached the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) for docking the massive cruise ship but no space was allotted. Then 14-storey cruise ship has been taken to the Gadani ship breaking yard to be dismantled.
According to a report, the cruise ship underwent a significant modernization and overhaul in 2011 as part of a life extension program designed to update the ship. The 14-storey ship has the following features. It has 1,411 rooms, seven star hotel, Shopping mall, Gaming zone, Swimming pool and three conference halls.
