Increase in draught: Cargo handling to rise at Karachi Port

Deployment of mother vessels now possible at KPT.

KARACHI:

Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has deepened its draught up to 12.5 metres to handle larger vessels, which will increase the annual cargo handling .

Talking to the media KPT Chairperson Nasreen Haque said deep draught was necessary for handling bigger vessels, and KPT intends to further deepen it to 14 metres, which is the maximum for vessels coming to the region.

Highlighting the importance of this, Haque said that handling bigger vessels at KPT would positively impact port earnings and the economy. She said that 12.5 metres depth will allow 300 metres length over all ships on Karachi Port, and will be able to welcome even deeper draughts in six weeks time.

KPT is also working on deep-water terminal to 18 metres and the project is expected to be complete by 2014.

Haque said that KPT, in line with rising shipping demands, has enabled container terminals located at Karachi harbour to handle ships of drafts 12.5 meters is bound to provide enormous benefits to ship owners, who could now avail discounts through deployment of mother vessels.

She said that the cargo handling of KPT in 2004-05 was over 28 million tons, while in 2009-10 it rose to 41 million tons, witnessing an increase of more than 45 per cent.

She also quoted an increase in ship calls from 1,768 in 2004-05 to 2,146 ships in 2009-10 and gross registered tonnage of ships had increased from 34 to 55 million during the same period.







Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2011.