The 14-storey cruise ship that entered Pakistani waters last week will be dismantled at the Gadani ship-breaking yard, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Maritime Affairs Mahmood Moulvi said on Tuesday.
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Moulvi rejected social media reports claiming that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs had granted or refused permission to the vessel’s owner to operate the ship as a ferry or hotel.
Cruise Ship Purchased for Scrap
Clarifying the vessel’s purpose, Moulvi said the cruise liner was purchased specifically for scrap and had not been brought to Pakistan for commercial passenger or hospitality operations.
“This ship was purchased for scrap,” the SAPM said, adding that the 1,200-room Italian-made cruise liner was purchased for around Rs2 billion before being brought to Pakistan for dismantling.
He said the vessel would be dismantled and its material sold as scrap.
No Permission for Hotel or Ferry Operations
Moulvi said the contract under which the cruise ship was purchased clearly specifies that it would be scrapped.
He maintained that the contractual terms rule out the vessel being used as a hotel, ferry or cruise ship in Pakistan.
The clarification came after reports and speculation circulated on social media regarding the future of the large cruise vessel after it entered Pakistani waters.
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According to the maritime authorities, the ship’s final destination is the Gadani ship-breaking yard, where it will be dismantled in accordance with the purpose for which it was purchased.
