PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TERMINAL

Karachi also plays the major roll for the economy of Pakistan being the coastline and only harbor for the country. Kemari, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) is a Pakistan’s oldest Sea port It is also significant to mention that the first Muslim Conqueror to India, Mohammad Bin Qasim, landed at Daibal, in vicinity of Karachi in 711 A.D. the existing Port started taking shape in 1854, when the projects of dredging the main navigable channel and the construction of a mole or causeway joining the main harbor with the rest of the city were undertaken. About 5 years later, construction of Manora Breakwater, Keamari Groyne, the Napier Mole Bridge, Native Jetty and the Chinna Creek were started which gave initial shape to the port.

The construction of the wharves started in 1882, and by 1914 the East Wharves and the Napier Mole Boat Wharf had been completed. During the period between 1927 and 1944, the West Wharves of the Port, the lighterage berths and the ship-repairing berths were constructed. Most of these facilities were obsolete by the time Pakistan came into existence in 1947. Since then, the port administration has embarked on extensive development of the port on modern lines. At the time of independence in 1947, the Port capacity was about 1.5 million tons of dry cargo and 1.0 million tons of P.O.L. products per annum. Karachi Port is now handling over 14 million tons of liquid cargo and 12 million tons of dry cargo, including 652,315 TEUs which constitute about 80% of import/ export of the country

Total Area of berths 6-9 is 220,000 square meters. Berths newly constructed by KPT with a planned depth of 13.5m and quay wall of 600 meters. Pakistan International Container Terminal was formed as the Terminal Operating Company and dedicated container terminal operations commenced on August 9th , 2002. PICT has taken possession of approximately 208,000 square meters of area and completed necessary civil works and office construction for the smooth functioning of the Terminal. The Terminal now possesses dedicated Custom Facilities, Customer Services with one window facilities – including collection of KPT Wharfage dues, Operations Office, Communications Centre and round the clock Private Terminal Security. PICT is providing services to 4 liner shipping lines weekly (on average) and handling container volumes of over 240,000 TEU’s annually.

PICT has 200 Reefer Points Operational and are expanding the capacity further.

PICT has acquired the following new equipment for the timely completion of Phase 1 which was achieved in March 2004:
 

2 Ship-to-Shore Gantry Cranes

4 Rubber Tyred Gantries
          
4 Reach Stackers, 1 Top Lifter
 

2 Empty Container Handlers
      
2 Container Stuffing Forklifts
    
10 Tractor Units
 

20 Trailer Units 
                            
5 Service Vehicles

Activity at Port Qasim

KARACHI: Brisk shipping activity was observed at 0the Port Qasim where five ships carrying containers, rice and furnace oil were berthed at Qasim International Containers Terminal, Multi Purpose Terminal and FOTCO Terminal respectively Tuesday.
Meanwhile four more ships carrying containers, general cargo and furnace oil also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim on same day.

Berth occupancy was 90 percent at the Port where a total of eleven ships were engaged at PQA berths to load/offload containers, rice, sugar, seeds, canola seeds, furnace oil and palm oil respectively during last 24 hours.

A cargo volume of 10,1680 tonnes comprising 81,535 tonnes imports and 20,145 tonnes exports inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 2,148 containers (TEUs) was handled at the Port during last 24 hours.

Three containers ships sailed out to sea on early morning, while two more ships are expected to sail later today till 12 noon.

Two containers ships and one general cargo ship are expected to take berths at Qasim International Containers Terminal and Multi Purpose Terminal on Wednesday. Shipping activity remained active at the Port Qasim where two ships carrying edible oil and chemicals were berthed at Liquid Cargo Terminal and Engro Vopak Terminal respectively Monday. Meanwhile five more ships carrying containers and furnace oil also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim on same day. Berth occupancy was maintained at the Port at 70 percent on Monday where a total of eight ships were engaged at PQA berths to load/offload rice, sugar, seeds, chemicals and palm oil respectively during last 24 hours.