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1999 period QICT posts 6 pc growth in container handling

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) at Port Qasim has registered a 6 percent growth in container handling during the 1999 and has projected a 20 percent rise in the year 2000.

According to the figures released by QICT, it handled 178,500 Teus in 1999 compared with 161,000 Teus disposed of in 1998 marking a 6 percent growth. The terminal is expected to handle about 235,000 Teus during the new year which will 20 percent more than the containers handled in 1999.

Meanwhile, the QICT performed record lifting of export cargo on the year-end vessels. Large vessels CMB-T Erebus and Francis Shultz were last two vessels which completed the 1999 cargo liftings accommodating unusual large number of export containers to meet the textile quota deadline of December 31, 1999. The number of export containers loaded onto the vessel Erebus while Francis Shultz lifted 800 export containers on the last two days of the outgoing year.

The QICT also set up a record by handling 772 Teus to cope with the year-end rush of export and import cargo in one shift.

A QICT spokesman claimed that Port Qasim had an edge over the other ports in the area through maintaining deep draft of 11.5 meters enabling the large vessels cruise into the harbour and berthed safely. He also announced that the terminal will continue to work during holidays and will remain closed only on Eid day.

It may be pointed out that import and export trade through QICT is continuously on rise which may get a further boost with the start of night navigation in Port Qasim in the beginning of the new year. The terminal, apart from swift handling facility provides fast transportation of cargo service to the upcountry businessmen. It runs a twice weekly cargo train in collaboration with Pakistan Railway from Port Qasim to upcountry. The QICT has recently provided free transport service to clearing agents from National Highway to the terminal to help them reach the terminal for executing clearance of goods.