DP World's Port Qasim Pakistan terminal opens for business

DUBAI's global marine terminal operator, DP World, has announced the opening of its new container terminal in Port Qasim near Karachi in Pakistan, celebrating the arrival of its first ship, the 5,782-TEU CMA CGM Wagner.

The opening of Terminal 2, the major expansion of DP World Karachi, will take capacity at Port Qasim to 1.2 million TEU from 900,000 TEU and marks the successful completion of the first of DP World's three-phase development - the largest ever investment in the port sector in Pakistan.

The chairman of Port Qasim Authority Vice Admiral Muhammad Shafi presented a commemorative plaque to the captain of the 276-metre long and 40-metre wide French-owned ship at a ceremony attended by senior managers from DP World Karachi, representatives of the shipowners, diplomats and port staff.

DP World Karachi is Pakistan's first dedicated international container terminal, providing importers and exporters a gateway port and transit facility for upcountry Pakistan and Afghanistan. Its location outside Karachi city allows faster inter-modal connectivity and reduces the need to transport transit containers through the city, said a DP World statement.

Built on 13 hectares of reclaimed land, Terminal 2's quay is 670 metres with three gantry cranes capable of handling 6,700-TEU ships, and six rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes.

Terminal 2 will be developed in a further two phases of heavy duty pavement expansion over a period of several years, said DP World, adding that each new phase would be integrated and compatible with the existing terminal.

"Our investment in its development as Pakistan's first dedicated container port hub is in direct response to the growth we have been experiencing in the region, said DP World CEO Mohammed Sharaf.

Said DP World Karachi chief Changez Niazi: "The new facility boosts our position as Pakistan's premier container terminal. We are committed to expanding our cost-effective and time-efficient services in line with our customers' needs, and thank the Port Qasim Authority for their dedicated cooperation in making this day happen."
(Source:www.schednet.com)