Karachi Port Trust has announced the increase in permissible draft to 13 meters at berths number 11 and 12 that will enable very large vessels to berth and their cargoes duly handled.
Karachi Port is the repository of more than 60 percent of the entire maritime trade of Pakistan and efforts are afoot to further improve its capabilities.
At present the throughput of cargo stands at 41 million tones and since it is expected to rise to 100 million tons in the years to come therefore corresponding increase in deep draft capacity is absolutely essential.
Soon after taking over charge the new Chairman Mr. Javed Hanif initiated round the clock dredging of the berths to increase the draft capacity for larger vessels to dock up to 13 meters.
Keeping in view the prevalent trend of large vessels operating in this field the increase in draft at Karachi Port will surely increase the maritime traffic. KPT is positive that the increased drafting capacity will bring in considerable economic benefits not only to the port but also to the country. It would attract the shipping lines to do more business with Karachi Port due to it becoming more cost effective. It is expected that revenue generation of KPT will be effectively enhanced owing to the newly deepened berths and will prove welcome addition to the national exchequer.
Under the instructions of Minister Ports & Shipping, Senator Babar Khan Ghauri, KPT is in the process of similarly increasing draft of rest of the berths operating under its management and will soon be able to successfully complete this task.
[mappress]
Press Release, November 4, 2012