The Karachi Port has increased its existing draft of berths to 12 metres to facilitate the shipping companies already calling at Karachi Port. Sharing her vision with the Management Executives and port stake-holders, KPT Chairperson Nasreen Haque pointed out that Karachi Port is the principal port of Pakistan which provides modern facilities to port users and stakeholders.
At Karachi Port, she said, cargo ships call round-the-clock. It is in fact the only port in Pakistan, which handles variety of cargo including dangerous cargo with adequate safeguards. She said no delays occur at Karachi Port as far as the berthing of vessels is concerned because of efficient management of the system.
KPT has made two more berths available for handling general cargo at Berths 22 and 23, she informed adding that the port has undertaken deepening of PIDC channel for attaining deeper drafts. Emphasising on security issues, Nasreen Haque said that Karachi Port is continuously improving its infrastructure through indigenous efforts by upgrading its vessel tracking system.
She said the monitoring system has been further enhanced through the use of biometrics, two-D card readers and surveillance cameras inside the port area. Focusing on ongoing projects, she affirmed that reconstruction of four berths at 16 metres draft is progressing at a satisfactory pace and that two of them would be ready for utilisation by September. As a goodwill gesture, she said the dredging at Pasni Fish Harbour, which has extensive siltation, is being undertaken by KPT.-PR