Karachi, April 23, 2024 – The Port Qasim Authority (PQA) reported bustling maritime activity with a significant movement of goods and vessels on Tuesday, underscoring its critical role in facilitating Pakistan’s trade and logistics.
Located in Karachi, Port Qasim is one of the busiest ports in the country, handling a diverse range of cargo including containers, grain, oil, and chemicals.
According to the latest shipping report issued by PQA, four vessels, MSC Rikku, Seacon Yokohama, Khairpur, and Navigator Vega were engaged in operations at various terminals within the port. MSC Rikku was stationed at the Container Terminal, loading and offloading containers, while Seacon Yokohama handled rice shipments at the Grain Terminal. At the Oil Terminal, Khairpur took charge of Mogas operations, and Navigator Vega dealt with chemicals at the Engro Terminal, all of which had berthed on Monday.
Adding to the dynamic scene, two additional ships, Express Salween and Lokojo, carrying containers and LNG respectively, arrived at the outer anchorage of Port Qasim earlier in the morning.
Over the past 24 hours, Port Qasim witnessed the handling of seven ships. Among these, the liquefied natural gas carrier Gaslog Sydney departed in the morning. Furthermore, four more vessels—Navigator Vega, Dravin, Bo-Mustafa-O, and Express Salween—were scheduled to sail later in the afternoon.
During this period, the port handled a substantial cargo volume of 81,888 tonnes. This included 61,753 tonnes of imported cargo and 20,135 tonnes of exported goods, transported across 2,092 containers (1,400 TEUs for imports and 692 TEUs for exports).
Additionally, five ships were reported at the outer anchorage of Port Qasim. Among these, three ships, Bateleur, Lokoja, and Express Salween, along with another vessel, Maersk Detroit, which was carrying LPG, LNG, and containers, were expected to berth at EVTL, PGPCL, and QICT respectively later the same day. Looking ahead to Wednesday, four more container ships—Atlantic Ibis, San Francisco Bridge, MSC Sindy, and Marathopolis—are due to arrive, further indicating a busy schedule for the port in the coming days.
Port Qasim’s strategic importance as a key node in Pakistan’s maritime logistics cannot be overstated. Its ability to handle a wide variety of cargo efficiently not only boosts local economies but also supports the national economy by facilitating international trade. The port’s ongoing operations and its capacity to manage high volumes of maritime traffic are crucial for maintaining the flow of goods in and out of the country.
This intense shipping activity reflects the robust mechanisms in place at Port Qasim to ensure smooth logistical operations, highlighting its pivotal role in the broader framework of global shipping and international trade. As Port Qasim continues to expand and upgrade its facilities, it remains an essential asset for Pakistan’s economic development and a vital link in the global supply chain.
