Down-to-earth business strategy, customer-oriented approach, and futuristic policies of the management led Port Qasim, the first industrial and commercial port of Pakistan, to achieve record handling of more than 26 million tons cargo during financial year 2006-07, registering a growth of 13 percent over previous year.
Closing of financial year 2006-07 also characterised Port Qasim as a catalyst to exports since exports showed major improvements over more than a decade, earning valuable foreign exchange. Dry exports, comprising wheat, rice and cement, showed an increase of 86 percent during 2006-07, compared with 2005-06.
A record containerised traffic of more than 0.65 million TEUs, registering an increase of 13 percent over previous year, was handled during 2006-07 at Qasim International Container Terminal, which accounted for a major portion of the containerised traffic of the country.
Engro Vopak Chemical Terminal catered for major chemical imports, and continues to strengthen the country's industrial base. POL imports at Fotco Oil Terminal reached capacity utilisation mark as more than 8.4 million tons furnace oil, diesel oil and crude oil was handled during 2006-07.
Berth productivity also showed an increase of 13 percent and stood at 2.96 million tons per berth during 2006-07, as compared with 2.62 million tons a year earlier.
Tons per metre of quay at the port also registered an increase of 13 percent during 2006-07 and stood at 14,148 tons as against 12,537 tons of 2005-06. For a sustainable growth pattern, capacity enhancement played a pivotal role. Port Qasim is currently operating on maximum capacity utilisation, which calls for development of new berths and terminals.
Port Qasim has been pursuing an ambitious development plan for capacity enhancement, which includes development of second Container Terminal, Liquid Cargo Terminal, Grain and Fertiliser Terminal, Coal and Clinker/Cement Terminal, Two LNG Floating Terminals, second Oil Jetty and second Steel Jetty. By realisation of these projects, Port Qasim's handling capacity will further increase to around 50 million tons per annum by 2010.-PR