Building breakwater is a workable model, insists Wasi

Weather concerns about locating the docks on North Shore could be allayed by a large breakwater and a switch to more automated technology, according to Khalid Wasi.

The businessman said he understood the concerns that shipping lines had about positioning a shipping terminal on a more exposed stretch of coastline.

But he maintained that relocating the docks to between Tynes Bay and Ocean View was a workable model despite the more extreme weather conditions.

Mr Wasi told the Bermuda Sun: “The plan involves having a huge breakwater — over a kilometre long or even longer — to make a sheltered harbour.

“In so far as the technology being used on the docks we would switch to a more automated technology of gantries and rails used in other ports around the world.

“We would not be using the cranes that are currently in operation at Hamilton Docks.

“This latest form of gantry technology is less affected by high winds and bad weather.”

Mr Wasi’s proposal would involve the construction of shops, warehouses, an industrial launderette and a hotel, and would necessitate dredging to accommodate incoming ships.

He said a potential investor had already been found to fund the project.

And he said the main stream of revenue would come from making the terminal a hub for the international movement of containers across the Atlantic.

Mr Wasi added: “Over the last two years I have been working on how to make the relocation of Hamilton Docks an affordable and sustainable exercise.

“And the only way to do that is to turn it into a transshipment port where the revenue would come from the international movement of containers across the Atlantic.

“The project would create 660 jobs over four years and a new stream of income.”