Port Qasim has become the first harbour of Pakistan to berth mother ships by deepening of its channel at 13 metres draught. "MSC CATANIA - a Mediterranean shipping company's vessel, which has 13 meter draught, 300 meters length and 33 meters beam, left the Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) No 2 on Saturday," General Manager Operations, Qasim International Container Terminal Pakistan Limited, Captain Sikandar Kazi told Business Recorder, here on Saturday.
He said that the ship was loaded with 602 containers of frozen fish, kinnow, rice, cotton etc. He said the frozen fish consignment was bound for Far East and kinnow for Russia. The vessel arrived on Friday, November 25 at about 4pm at the dock. He said Port Qasim Authority (PQA) had carried out maintenance dredging to deepen the harbour's navigational channel from 12 meters draught to 13 meters draught. The terminal's draught would further be deepened by the next year to 14 meters to dock even greater sized vessels, he added.
He pointed out that QICT shared about 40 percent of the country's imports and exports. QICT was also providing night navigation facility to the vessels, he added. "This facility of 13 meters draught and night navigation of 295 meters vessels will enable Port Qasim to handle larger vessel with more volume of cargo & ship's turnaround time would be remarkably reduced and this would also be a major advantage for all stakeholders. This will definitely reduce the cost of doing businesses at Port Qasim and would give a major boost to the trade and economy of Pakistan," according to the QICT's handout.
The QICT has so far invested $220 million to build its terminal No 2, as the project cost was estimated at $350 million. The additional berth of 615 meters along with the backup yard is part of the phase I of the second terminal which was completed in October 2010, the handout added.
Talking to reporters after observing the CATANIA's departure along with officials of DP World Karachi, Chairman Karachi Port Trust, Vice Admiral Muhammad Shafi said the draught enhancement would reduce the cost of doing business at the port and allow entrance of vessels with greater size.