KARACHI: The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) Wednesday organized an exercise Barracuda-IX.

The sea phase of exercise was held in North Arabian Sea near Karachi, said a press release issued here.

During the exercise gear was laid practically by participants Ships/ Boats of Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, BYCO Petroleum Pakistan and relevant stakeholders. Various drills regarding oil spillage and Search & Rescue Operations at sea were rehearsed.

Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi, PMSA Director General Rear Admiral Zaka Ur Rehman SI(M), various heads and representatives of various Government/ civil organizations and foreign observers attended the sea phase of the exercise.

As many as 20 foreign observers from Turkey, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Maldives and Sri Lanka participated in the exercise.

Ships, aircrafts and helicopters from Pakistan Maritime Security, Pakistan Navy, KPT Tug, M/s BYCO Tug and Port Qasim Authority (PQA) tug participated in sea phase.

The units/Departments of PMSA along with Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Coast Guard and various Govt/ Civil organizations including Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, Gwadar Port Authority, National Institute of Oceanography, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, SEPA, Pakistan Metrological Department, Bahria Foundation, China Power Hub Generation Company Ltd, Shell Pakistan Ltd, Pakistan Oil Refinery Ltd, National Oil Refinery Ltd, Oil Companies Advisory Committee, City Govt Karachi, BYCO Petroleum Pakistan Ltd, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Pakistan State Oil, Total Parco Marketing Ltd, KANUPP, CAA, Pakistan State Oil, NCMPR, SUPARCO etc are participants in the exercise.