KPT cargo handling records 8.4 percent increase in FY15

KARACHI: The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) cargo activities recorded 8.4 percent growth during financial year 2014-15, with 43.42 million tons of cargo and 1.72 million Container TEUs (twenty equivalent units), said a statement issued Thursday.
During financial year 2013-14, the handling of cargo remained at 41.35 million tons and that of containers remained at 1.59 million Container TEUs; 8.4 percent less compared to 2014-15. The ship movement also gained momentum as more ships called at the Karachi Port. During the financial year 2014-15, the ship movement and handling remained at 1,732 ships, whereas in the preceding year, it remained at 1,674 ships. Hence an increase of 3.46 percent was witnessed compared to the preceding year.
The breakup shows that the port handled 29.67 million tons of total dry cargo imports and exports and 13.75 million tons of liquid bulk cargo imports and exports during FY15, whereas in FY14, these remained at 28.24 million tons and 13.11 million tons respectively. Similarly, the breakup of ship movement and handling shows that the port handled 790 container ships, 193 bulk cargo ships, 255 general cargo ships, and 494 oil tankers in FY15. In year 2013-14, these remained at 817 container ships, 172 bulk cargo ships, 229 general cargo ships, and 456 oil tankers. Bigger sized container ships called at Karachi Port during the year ended June 30, 2015, due to the dredging activities which increased the draft at the two private terminals KICT and PICT to 13 meters. The handling of more containers was promising, as fewer and larger size ships carried more containers.
The Karachi Port has always preferred to facilitate the port users and the trade community through best business policies/practices.
KPT Chairman vice admiral (retd) Shafqat Jawed HI (M) has laid emphasis on facilitating the port users through adoption of friendly business policies in line with the policies/directions of the present government. This increased sea borne trade through the Karachi Port.
The Karachi Port is well set to cash on global throughput increase when it begins operating its new deep water container port by 2016.