Chief Executive Officer Khurram Aziz Khan of Abu Dhabi Ports Pakistan met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday. He informed the Prime Minister that their company plans to invest $250 million in Karachi Port over the next 10 years.
The CEO and his delegation also shared that they are currently investing $130 million to build a fully equipped multipurpose terminal, which will be finished in two years. This terminal will enhance the port’s capacity to handle various types of cargo.
They discussed the improvements being made to the container terminal at Karachi Port, which include advanced X-ray control, automated gates, expanding the berth by 200 meters, installing crane rail tracks, and developing infrastructure. These enhancements will allow larger cargo ships, up to 120,000 tons capacity, to dock at the port, boosting economic activity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of using modern technology and machinery to improve cargo handling and reduce clearance times at the port. He highlighted that the agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports aims to increase transparency, enhance capacity, and improve overall port operations. He assured full government support to ensure the agreement’s successful implementation for maximum benefits.
The Prime Minister also instructed railway authorities to provide necessary freight bogies and rolling stock to support the project and improve cargo transportation from the terminal. He directed efforts to minimize customs clearance times by installing modern equipment and machinery at Port Qasim and Karachi Port Trust.
Furthermore, he stressed the need for state-of-the-art scanning machinery at the ports and urged prioritized steps to fully utilize their potential. Enhancing the railway’s capacity to transport goods to and from Karachi Port was also highlighted.
Lastly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for reducing and fixing fees for LNG ships at Port Qasim in line with international rates. He requested a comprehensive action plan to regulate shipping lines promptly.
