German delegation briefed about KPT operations

KARACHI: A high-level German parliamentarians delegation visited the Karachi Port Trust on Saturday, for a briefing to gain awareness about the avenues offered by the premier port of Pakistan for investments and joint ventures, a statement said.
The interaction could mutually benefit both the countries, it said.
The delegation of Member Parliamentarians (MPs) from Germany led by Niels Annen with other members Carey Lay, Tabea Rößner, Michael Donth, Thorsten Frei, Prof Dr Egon Jüttner, Ingrid Brenda Behrmann (conference interpreter), Monika Hein (German Foreign Office) was briefed about the management, administrative areas, functions and present / future projects of KPT. The delegation accompanied by German Ambassador to Pakistan in Islamabad, Cyrill Nunn, Consul General of Germany, Karachi, Dr Tilo Klinner and Consul and Deputy Head of Mission, Karachi, Hans-Jürgen Paschke were briefed by KPT Chairman Vice Admiral Shafqat Jawed HI (M) about the role KPT plays in trade and commerce of the nation, the statement said.
The KPT chairman briefed the German delegation about the infrastructure of the port, and said the Karachi Port is well-equipped with dredgers, flotilla crafts and has complete infrastructure to facilitate port users. Regarding the depth of the Karachi Port channel, the KPT chairman informed the delegates about the recently undertaken dredging, which has made the port capable of handling 13 metres draught vessels at the port.
He also briefed the delegates about the future outlook of the port with respect to the commencement of cargo handling activities from bigger post PANAMAX vessels that will call on when the first phase of deep water container port attains completion.
Various projects of KPT came under discussion with respect to their utility for the port to have such capital intensive projects, it said.
The delegation showed interest in port facilities and the projects such as elevated port expressway, coal yard and cargo village that are planned by KPT and offers investment opportunities to the German business sector. In their gesture of compliment they welcomed the initiatives of the port and thanked the KPT chairman.