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Category: Ports and Shipping

  • KPT denies toxic gas leakage from port area

    KPT denies toxic gas leakage from port area

    KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has clarified new reports about leakage of toxic gas from inside port area.

    KPT spokesman in a statement on late Sunday night said that there has been no leakage of chemical or gases inside the KPT port area and from any berthed vessel/ship.

    “All safety precautions remain applied while handling POL or chemicals from ships at Karachi Port,” the spokesman said.

    The casualties being admitted in Hospitals are from northern side of keamari town and not from the port or immediate area and their statement was also about presence of chemical gases in air. “Linking the same with handling of chemical and POL ships is not correct and, therefore, denied,” the spokesman added.

    The KPT is offering complete support to the Keamari residents falling victim to chemical gas incident. “KPT Hospital located in Keamari area, being within the reach, has been made available to Keamari residents for treatment,” the spokesman added.

    Moreover, the Chairman KPT Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar has also had discussion with Commander Karachi Rear Admiral Zahid Ilyas over the incident and Pakistan Navy is dispatching their Biological and Chemical Damage control Team to the affected area and its vicinity for ascertaining facts behind the incident.

  • Mysterious gas kills four near Karachi Port

    Mysterious gas kills four near Karachi Port

    KARACHI: Leakage of poisonous gas from unknown place on Sunday killed at least four people and faint many others.

    Sources said that the location of gas leakage was still unknown. At first instance it was assumed that a shipped docked at the Karachi Port was main reason for gas leakage. However, port authorities rejected such claims saying no such ship was arrived at the port.

    Faisal Edhi of Edhi Foundation has confirmed four deaths due to the incidents. “Two bodies were at Ziauddin Hospital and other two were at Kutyana Memon Hospital,” he said.

    Faisal Edhi further said that the effected persons due to gas leakages were brought at the nearby hospitals of Kharadar and Kemari.

    Ali Zaidi, Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, in a tweet message said that he was shocked on the casualties due to poisonous gas.

    “The incident was not occurred at the port. However, officials of Karachi Port Trust (KTP) have been sent to the location for the investigation,” he added.

    He requested everyone to refrain from making any comments on the media till the facts are not known.

  • Hapag Lloyd revises requirement of NTN for Pakistan imports

    Hapag Lloyd revises requirement of NTN for Pakistan imports

    KARACHI: Hapag Lloyd has revised its announcement and now requirement of National Tax Number (NTN) of Pakistani importers is not mandatory any more, according an official memorandum of Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA).

    According to the official memorandum, the KCAA informed its members that in the previous announcement by the Hapag Lloyd regarding mandatory requirement of NTN of importer on Import Bill of Lading.

    KCAA initiated immediate action and approached the Competent Authority of MCC-Preventive and concerned Shipping Association i.e. PSAA and APSA.

    “Due to efforts of KCAA, the Hapag Lloyd has revised the announcement on their website and the requirement of NTN of importer is not mandatory anymore,” it said.

    Since only Container Ownership NTN field is appearing in the Pakistan Customs online system hence only Container Ownership NTN is required.

    Hapag Lloyd has updated the mandatory requirement for bills of lading to Pakistan.

    As per our previous announcement related to Pakistan Customs advisement of the required Importer National Tax Number (NTN), we understand that only Container Ownership NTN field is appearing in the Pakistan Customs online system and there is no field added related to Importer NTN.

    Therefore, only Shipper Own Container, SOC, unit NTN and Tariff for local charges, free time and detention tariff on the bill of lading will be implemented at this time.

    Once we receive notification that Pakistan Customs is ready for the Importers NTN, we will keep you updated accordingly.

    Presently, following two requirements of import bills of lading are implemented for Pakistan.

    1) Mandatory requirement to update Container Ownership NTN # (National Tax Number) on Bill of Lading for Shipper Own Container, SOC, units effective January 15, 2020.

    According to Pakistan Customs, all Carriers are bound to file Customs manifest including Container Ownership NTN# for Carrier Own Container and SOC units for each shipment.

    The Consignee NTN number is to be updated on the Bill of Lading which is released by origin office for SOC unit.

    All customers are requested to please provide your local importer NTN number along with the importer name and address while submitting the SI (Shipping Instructions) for SOC units.

    Pakistan Customs will not accept the manifest if the NTN number is missing.

    As per Customs rule, a non-manifested unit is not allowed to discharge at Pakistan and will remain on board at customer’s risk, cost and responsibility.

    2) Publication of Tariff on Bill of Lading Related to Local Charges / Free Time / Detention Tariff

    Effective immediately, according to Pakistan Customs Rules 2001 amended in Responsibilities of Licensee for imports into Pakistan, the Carrier is to update all local collect charges other than freight on the Bill of Lading itself. The Carrier must also state on the Bill of Lading the agreed free days and detention tariff per container.

    All shipments which will be discharged in Pakistan for clearance or in transit to Afghanistan, must reflect the required charges details.”

  • KPT asks terminal operators to ensure implementation of axle load regime

    KPT asks terminal operators to ensure implementation of axle load regime

    KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has asked terminal operators to ensure implementation of Axle Load Regime.

    In this regard the KPT sent letters to: Pakistan International Container Terminal, East Wharf; M/s. South Asia Pakistan Terminal Limited, South Wharf; Karachi International Container Terminal, West Wharf.

    The KPT informed the terminal operators that the ministry of commerce had amended in axel load regime, which should be implemented in its true letter and spirit.

    The ministry of commerce on January 15, 2020 issued notification on subject of implementation of Axle Load Regime on national highways and motorways.

    The notification said that implementation of Axle Load Regime on the National Highways and Motorways should be implemented as per provision of the relevant clauses of NHSO-2000. “However, penal provisions contained in Section 75(1) of the NHSO-2000 will be triggered once the weight of transport/goods vehicle exceeds 15 percent of the load prescribed in the Sixth Schedule.”

  • Worst weather halts flight operation at Skardu Airport

    Worst weather halts flight operation at Skardu Airport

    KARACHI: Worst weather conditions have halted flight operations at the world’s highest airports i.e. Skardu Airport, a statement said on Wednesday.

    Worst weather conditions at Skardu Airport, one of the world’s heighest airports, has halted flight operations.

    Skardu Airport is located at 7500 feet high and is considered one of the tallest airports in the world.

    Skardu Airport is also known as Lifeline Airport.

    Skardu Airport has experienced heavy snow fall from Sunday to Wednesday.

    More then 18 inch snow has been accumulated at airfield during the period.

    Snow removal work from car parking area, access road, runway and maneuvering area started on Tuesday at 09.00 hours Pakistan Standard Time (PST) with all available resources including one snow plough machine (Babcat) and 3 tractors.

    4000 feet of runway from threshold runway 14 has been cleared till Wednesday.

    Runway 14/32 is still blocked due to snow. Local administration is also helping Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in this regard.

  • Karachi Ports handles largest ever vessel

    Karachi Ports handles largest ever vessel

    KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has handled the largest ever vessel in the history of port activity in Pakistan with gross registered tonnage of 153,666 metric tons.

    A statement on Friday said that the KPT achieved another milestone while handling a giant container vessel COSCO BELGIUM at its SAPT terminal in South Wharf of Karachi Port.

    This is the largest ever vessel handled for the very first time at Karachi Port with length overall (LOA) of 366 meters, highest gross registered tonnage (GRT) of 153,666 metric tonnes and maximum beam of 51.20 meters.

    None of the Pakistani port has ever handled such a giant vessel in past.

    The Hong Kong flag vessel came alongside SAPT-3 berths at 8:10 pm Pakistan time under the personal command and supervision of Deputy Conservator KPT Captain Asif Ahmed Saeed Tauni while adopting all safety measures. It became reality under the able guidance and dynamic leadership of Chairman KPT Rear Admiral (R) Jamil Akhtar, Hi(M), T.Bt.

    KPT has previously handled vessels of LOA 354.24 meters, 128,929 metric tonnes GRT and 45.6 meters Beam.

    Chairman KPT Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar congratulated the entire operations team which participated in this landmark achievement.

  • Gwadar Port starts exports operation: Razak Dawood

    Gwadar Port starts exports operation: Razak Dawood

    KARACHI: Gwadar Port has become operational for exports as a vessel loaded with three containers of seafood left for Far Eastern ports, said adviser to prime minister.

    Abdul Razak Dawood, in his tweet on Saturday made this announcement about the exports through Gwadar Port.

    “Gawadar becomes operational for Exports! Seafood export, in reefer containers, using WeBOC system, started on 19 Nov 2019 through COSCO’s KGS service.”

    “The vessel loaded 3 containers of fish for Far Eastern ports.”

    The adviser said that average value of cargo was $50,000/container.

    This would reduce time taken for trading across borders and also reduce port congestion at Karachi.

    Gwadar is Pakistan’s largest infrastructural project since independence.

    After the completion of the first phase of Gwadar port, billions of dollars have been invested in Gwadar and in the next one or two years the investment can cross the figure of trillions.

    China is a major investor in Gwadar, and has spent $248 million in the first phase of Gwadar port, according to official website of Gwadar Port Authority.

  • Gwadar Port ready for Afghan transit trade handling

    Gwadar Port ready for Afghan transit trade handling

    ISLAMABAD: The ministry of commerce has said that Gwadar Port is ready for bulk cargo handling to and from Afghanistan.

    In a notification issued October 15, 2019, the ministry said that the bulk cargoes imported at Gwadar Port for onward transit to Afghanistan will be transported in containers after stuffing/loading the same into containers of international specifications.

    The ministry has informed about the decision to Pakistan Ship Agents Association, Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association, National Logistic Cell, All Pakistan Shipping Association.

  • Prime minister welcomes $240 million investment by Hutchison Port Holdings

    Prime minister welcomes $240 million investment by Hutchison Port Holdings

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has welcomed fresh investment of $240 million by Hutchison Port Holdings and commitment of the company to the Pakistan’s economic prosperity.

    The prime minister praised the company at a meeting with a delegation of Hutchison Port Holdings led by their Group Managing Director Mr. Eric Ip called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday.

    The Prime Minister reiterated the commitment and focus of the Government to facilitate investment and ease-of-doing-business that would ultimately result in economic growth and employment generation.

    Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Advisor to PM on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Special Assistant to PM Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Ambassador at Large for Foreign Investment Ali Jehangir Siddiqui, Chairman Board of Investment Zubair Haider Gilani and senior officials were present during the meeting.

    The delegation from Hutchison Ports also included Mr. Andy Tsoi, Managing Director Middle East & Africa, Mr. Eric Ng, Business Director Middle East & Africa and the leadership of their Pakistan management team.

    Group Managing Director Mr. Eric Ip apprised the Prime Minister of Hutchison Port Holdings’ fresh investment into Pakistan approximating $240 million that will make available a significant amount of new container terminal capacity at the Karachi Port, and increase Hutchison Ports’ total investment in Pakistan to $1 billion.

    The Prime Minister was informed that this investment will also grow Hutchison employees to 3,000 people. The Prime Minister was also briefed about the development of Hutchison Port Holdings, its parent company CK Hutchison Holdings, and the group’s commitment to play a pivotal role in facilitating the economic growth of Pakistan, as well as supporting the development of Karachi Port into a major hub for trade in Asia.

    Hutchison Port Holdings is one of the world’s largest port companies, with over 30,000 employees, operating 52 ports and terminals in 27 countries spanning Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australia. The company is headquartered in Hong Kong.
    Ambassador Ali Jehangir Siddiqui stated that as a result of a fairly priced currency, unit volumes of exports were increasing and there was a great need for additional container terminal capacity. As a result, this investment would support our export competitiveness and also result in greater revenue for both the federal exchequer and the Karachi Port Trust

  • Ban on trade with India not to apply shipment of documents

    Ban on trade with India not to apply shipment of documents

    ISLAMABAD: The ministry of commerce has said that ban on trade with India will not apply on the shipment of documents related to personal or ministries.

    The ministry issued a clarification in this regard through an office memorandum dated October 03, 2019, stated that the bilateral trade with India was suspended through SROs 927 and 928 issued on August 09, 2019.

    “However, it is clarified that the suspension of trade with India will not apply to the shipment of documents e.g. personal and business documents, documents of government ministries, diplomatic mission, banks and greeting cards, etc.”