Karachi, June 14, 2013 (PPI-OT): Senator Kamran Michael, Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, visited Karachi Port Trust on Friday, 14th June 2013. Accompanied by Chairman, KPT and other high functionaries of the port the Federal Minister was given a detailed tour of the maritime installations of KPT along with all the ongoing development projects KPT is undertaking.
The Minister was taken round all operational berths of KPT including all the three oil piers. During the course of his inspection lasting three hours he also viewed the newly laid out breakwaters that will streamline the channels of Karachi Port. He witnessed the deepened length of the approach channel and positively commented upon the desirability of deeper access for berthing large post-panamax carriers.
He inspected the under construction Pakistan Deep Water Container Port and instructed KPT to adhere to the time frame given for its completion. He emphasized the importance of PDWCP for the benefit of maritime trade of Pakistan and declared that this project will be very fruitful for Pakistan.
The advantages of PDWCP will result in increasing the trade handling capacity of sea trade of Pakistan and will bring in additional revenue. He also said that PDWCP will bring in much needed employment opportunities for the young workforce of Pakistan.
During the appraisal accorded to him of current state of operations of Karachi Port the Minister raised very pertinent queries and inquired in depth about various facets of the operational practices. Although he expressed satisfaction about the efforts KPT was engaged in but he instructed the officers and functionaries to maximize their efforts in order to expeditiously complete the development projects.
He mentioned that he was not very satisfied by certain areas of port operations particularly the slow handling of goods and lack of clean working environment at the port and impressed upon the employees to pay more attention to such matters.
He said that he will keep a close eye on port matters and will effectively deal with lapses that he will observe in future. He also laid stress on the need to strategize the priorities of the Port so that they are effectively aligned with international maritime requirement. He impressed upon the fact that Karachi Port being the largest recipient of Pakistan’s national maritime trade is expected to perform the tasks assigned to it with diligence and devotion.
He listened to the issues raised by port workforce and issued on the spot orders for solving them. He also promised to look into the long term problems of the work force and assured their representatives that he will try utmost to find solution to them. He said that he will regularly visit Karachi Port and personally monitor all its activities. He further instructed the management to closely apprise him of all port activities so that he regularly issues appropriate instructions.
For more information, Contact:
Karachi Port Trust
Eduljee Dinshaw Road
Karachi-74000
Pakistan.
Chairman
Email: Chairman@kpt.gov.pk
Tel: 99214315
Tel Board: 99214530-9