Pakistan's ports lag behind the international maritime standards because of their constricted capacities, slow cargo handling and discharging, and complicated custom appraisement system, according to World Trade Organisation (WTO). Stakeholders believe that poor management and administrative anomalies are the common characteristics of all the three seaports, ie Port Qasim, Karachi Port and Gwadar.
Ports in Pakistan are not being developed in line with the demand from importing exporting sectors in the country. Typically all the three ports handled only seven million tones cargo in 2008/2009. In contrast, neighbouring India has developed its seaports in accordance with the world standards. It has 12 major ports, which handled cargo of over 463 million tones in 2006/2007, which was projected to rise at a rate of 7.7 percent per annum till 2014.
Abandoning past policy of state domination towards port development, Indian government encouraged private sector launch - a 2.2 billion dollars modernisation project - for the major ports to support world's largest growing economy.
Government of Pakistan is doing what it takes to encourage private investment in port modernisation and development. In fact, a local-foreign joint venture is all set to inaugurate the first fully automated dry bulk handling and storage terminal at Port Qasim by October-end. The beginning of such a modern dedicated terminal is a first step towards matching the Indian model of success.
The fertiliser and grain terminal is the only one of its kind in the country with cargo handling capacity of 4.1 million tones; its independent new jetty is equipped to handle vessel size of up to 80,000 dead-weight tonnage when Port Qasim meets its dredging commitment.
The Fauji Akbar Portia Marine Terminal was constructed in a record time of 24 months. The up and coming terminal operator will not only be providing a cost-effective maritime solution for the bulk commodity traders but also the removal of hassles presently traders facing at the port. Wheat, rice, pulses, oilseeds, and fertiliser are traded in bulk and thus require dedicated terminal to be efficiently handled and discharged.
This terminal is proof of the government delivering on its commitment to encourage foreign investment and help develop infrastructure so that Pakistan could prosper. It is time to emulate the neighbouring country's model of success, stakeholders said.