This article will focus on Port Muhammad Bin Qasim International Container Terminal, including its location, facilities, and expansion plans. For those who aren’t familiar with the port, it is located in Karachi, Pakistan. You’ll learn about its location and expansion plans, as well as the company’s plans for the future.
Port Muhammad Bin Qasim International Container Terminal
The Port Muhammad Bin Qasim International Container terminal, also known as Qasim Port Authority, is an ocean-going seaport in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It is on the coastline of the Arabian Sea. The facility is managed by the Secretariat of the Government of Pakistan for Maritime Affairs.
The port is connected to a number of major transport and logistics infrastructures. The port is located near the city of Karachi and the Korangi Industrial Area. It is also close to the Jinnah International Airport and rail connections. It has a 45-km Navigation Channel that provides safe navigation for ships with a deadweight of 75,000 tonnes.
Port Muhammad Bin Qasim has the ability to handle nearly 4 million tons of cargo per year. Its oil terminal has capacity to handle nine million tons of furnace oil per year. The port also has room to add three additional berths. It is capable of handling vessels with up to 75 thousand DWT, and can berth tankers up to 63 thousand DWT.
The port is located on an area of nearly 12,000 acres and is the most important port in Pakistan for trade and economic activity. It is also home to 80% of Pakistan’s Automotive Industry. Its port handles all types of cargo, including containers and bulk cargo. With the addition of a liquid cargo terminal, the port has the capacity to handle up to four million tons of liquid cargo each year.
Port Muhammad Bin Qasim is the country’s first dedicated international container terminal. It has been in operation since mid-1997. It spans more than 240 square meters and can accommodate vessels of up to 45 thousand DWT. It is equipped with rail-mounted ship-to-shore gantry cranes.
Location
The Port Muhammad Bin Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) is a purpose-built port with two container-handling berths, the first of its kind in the country. Dedicated to handling international containers, QICT covers an area of 240 thousand square meters. It can accommodate vessels up to 45 thousand DWT. The terminal is equipped with rail-mounted ship-to-shore gantry cranes.
The port is well-connected to Pakistan’s transportation system. It is located only 15 km from the national highway, providing direct access to the hinterland. It also features six railway tracks within the terminal. In addition, it is located 22 km from the Jinnah International Airport. In addition, it is near Bin Qasim Town in Karachi. The terminal is also equipped with night navigation facilities. Vessels up to 202 meters LOA can be loaded and unloaded during night.
The Port Muhammad Bin Qasim has nine berths, including two 300-meter berths for the Qasim International Container Terminal. It also houses a multi-purpose terminal and a chemical plant. The port is connected to the Pakistan Steel Stockyard. The facility is equipped with two grab unloaders for coal and iron ore, which can handle more than three million tons per year. The port also has space for four more berths.
Port Qasim is located on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan. It is accessible via a 45-kilometer-long Navigation Channel, which provides safe navigation for ships with a deadweight of 75,000 tonnes. The port also features a cargo terminal and warehouse facilities. This facility is located near important shipping routes, including the Indus River.
Future expansion plans
Future expansion plans for Qasim International container Terminal include adding a second iron ore & coal berth with an annual handling capacity of eight million tonnes. The new terminal will be equipped with the latest container handling technology and will be able to accommodate large containerships. This expansion will help meet a projected shortage in container handling capacity in Pakistan.
The third phase of expansion is expected to cost 75 million U.S. dollars and will include a bridge crane and a larger yard area. This expansion will double the existing terminal’s yard area and increase the draft to 13.5 meters. In September 2006, the terminal also added four bridge cranes and ten site gantry cranes.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs is finalising a master plan for five new terminals that will be built on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. The plan will be presented to the Cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee for approval as early as possible. This plan is backed by the Port Qasim Authority board.
As more cargo is containerised, the QICT and KICT are preparing for growth in their capacity. Dubai Port World has signed a deal with QICT to invest USD 250 million in the Second Container Terminal. The new facility will be capable of handling mother ships and will increase the port’s total capacity to three hundred thousand TEUs. In contrast, KICT is holding out until its current capacity of 300,000 TEUs is reached.
The Qasim International Container Terminal is a multipurpose port that covers an area of over two thousand square metres. The terminal has two berths. The Iron Ore and Coal Berth handles iron ore for the Pakistan Steel Mills. The facility also has two grab unloaders. It also has four multipurpose berths.
