Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) has started its operation with new port handling equipment after completion of $30 million Phase-1 of the container handling project in the proximity of Karachi Port.
This is the second container terminal project at the Karachi Port and has been set up to develop a modern facility at berths 6 to 9 in East Wharf.
PICT has acquired state-of-the-art container handling equipment comprising 2 quayside cranes, 4 rubber tyred gantry, 2 reach stacker, 2 empty container handlers, 1 top lifter, 10 terminal tractors and 20 trailers, 2 forklift and 5 service vehicles. In addition the terminal has also set up its own power generation plant of 5 MW.
The first vessel "Safmarine Pakistan," inaugural voyage of the new weekly Maersk Sealand Service, has called at the terminal on Thursday to be handled with the new cranes and is expected to significantly boost the traffic of container handling.
The Chairman Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Vice Admiral Ahmad Hayat (Retd) was the Chief Guest at the occasion, hosted by the Chairman PICT, Capt. Haleem Siddiqui.