Pakistan International Container Terminal Milestones and Achievements

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Scenic view of Kalam Valley in Pakistan with lush greenery and mountains.
Credit: pexels.com, Scenic view of Kalam Valley in Pakistan with lush greenery and mountains.

Pakistan International Container Terminal has a remarkable history of milestones and achievements. It was established in 2005 as a joint venture between PSA International and Habib Bank Limited.

The terminal has undergone significant expansions, with the most recent one being completed in 2014, increasing its container handling capacity to 1.2 million TEUs per year. This expansion has enabled the terminal to handle a significant increase in container traffic.

The terminal has consistently demonstrated its commitment to providing efficient and reliable services, with an average dwell time of 24 hours for containers. This is a testament to the terminal's ability to handle large volumes of cargo quickly and efficiently.

The terminal's state-of-the-art facilities and equipment have been instrumental in achieving its high standards of service.

Container Terminal Features

The Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) is a remarkable facility with several notable features. The terminal commenced commercial operations in August 2002, just six weeks after taking possession of the area.

Credit: youtube.com, Pakistan International Container Terminal(PICT) detailed analysis!

PICT has made significant investments in its infrastructure, including the successful completion of Phase I Development ahead of schedule in March 2004, within the targeted cost of US$ 30 million. The terminal has a dedicated area of 220,000 square meters, with a Quay Wall length of 600 meters.

The terminal's equipment includes 4 Ship-to-Shore (“STS”) Quay Cranes, 2 Mobile Harbour Cranes, 10 Rubber Tyred Gantry (“RTG”) Cranes, and other ancillary equipment. PICT also boasts the deepest berths among present container terminals in Pakistan, with a planned alongside depth of 13.5 meters and a current alongside depth of 12.2 meters.

Here are some of the key features of PICT's equipment and infrastructure:

  • 4 Ship-to-Shore (“STS”) Quay Cranes
  • 2 Mobile Harbour Cranes
  • 10 Rubber Tyred Gantry (“RTG”) Cranes
  • Quay Wall length: 600 meters
  • Dedicated area: 220,000 square meters
  • Planned alongside depth: 13.5 meters
  • Current alongside depth: 12.2 meters

Container Terminal Features

The container terminal at PICT is a remarkable facility. It commenced commercial operations in August 2002, just six weeks after taking over possession of the area from KPT.

PICT's Phase I Development was completed ahead of schedule in March 2004, within the targeted cost of US$ 30 million. This achievement demonstrates the project's efficiency and commitment to meeting deadlines.

Container terminal with straddle carriers and stacked shipping containers under a cloudy sky.
Credit: pexels.com, Container terminal with straddle carriers and stacked shipping containers under a cloudy sky.

The terminal has a dedicated area of 220,000 square meters, with a quay wall length of 600 meters. This spacious layout allows for smooth cargo handling and efficient operations.

Among the present container terminals in Pakistan, PICT has the deepest berths, with a planned alongside depth of 13.5 meters and a current alongside depth of 12.2 meters. This feature enables the terminal to handle larger vessels and increase its cargo capacity.

PICT is the only container terminal in Pakistan sponsored and owned by Pakistanis, making it a truly local success story. Its shares are also quoted on the Karachi Stock Exchange, providing a transparent and accessible investment opportunity.

Here's a quick rundown of the terminal's equipment and features:

  • 4 Ship-to-Shore (“STS”) Quay Cranes
  • 2 Mobile Harbour Cranes
  • 10 Rubber Tyred Gantry (“RTG) Cranes
  • Other ancillary equipment

PICT is also home to a 7.4 Mega Watt power generation plant, which is being expanded to 10 Mega Watt to meet increasing energy demands. This self-sufficiency in power generation reduces the terminal's reliance on external sources and enhances its operational efficiency.

Storage

Red cranes at a container terminal in Hamburg, Germany, show industrial activity.
Credit: pexels.com, Red cranes at a container terminal in Hamburg, Germany, show industrial activity.

The storage facilities at the Container Terminal are quite impressive. One covered transit shed of 10,000 sq. m is available at berth 2 at Marginal Wharf.

You'll also find two open Term Storage Areas, each with a massive 1,18,000 sq. meter of space.

Location

The Pakistan International Container Terminal is located in Karachi, Pakistan. Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and a major port city.

The terminal's address is Plot No. 25/1-A, Street No. 5, Karachi, Pakistan. This makes it easily accessible by road and sea.

Here's a breakdown of the terminal's location:

  • Pakistan International Container Terminal Limited
  • Plot No. 25/1-A
  • Street No. 5
  • Karachi
  • Pakistan

Operations and Milestones

Pakistan International Container Terminal has a significant presence in the region, serving as a major gateway for international trade. It operates from the Karachi Port, which is one of the busiest ports in Pakistan.

The terminal has a total quay length of 1,100 meters and a container yard with a capacity to hold 12,000 TEUs. This infrastructure enables the terminal to efficiently handle a large volume of containers.

The terminal has achieved several milestones, including the handling of over 1 million containers in a year and the introduction of new technologies to enhance its operations.

Check this out: EXIM Bank of Pakistan

Railway Yard

Aerial view of cargo trains lined up at a large railway yard under a blue sky.
Credit: pexels.com, Aerial view of cargo trains lined up at a large railway yard under a blue sky.

The railway yard at the port is a crucial component of its operations.

It's located behind the back-up area of the Multi-Purpose berths and connects the port with the National Railway network.

This connection enables the loading of 4 train loads at a time, significantly increasing the port's cargo handling capacity.

Cargo handling at the port is done in the private sector by Cargo Handling Companies (CHC’s).

For your interest: Terminal Railway Post Office

First Quayside Crane

PICT has made a significant milestone with the installation of the first Quayside Crane in Pakistan. This crane can lift two empty containers at the same time, effectively doubling its crane lifting capacity on empty container moves.

PICT now handles an average of 27 container vessels a month.

PicT Ends Operations

PicT, a popular photo-sharing platform, ended its operations in 2018.

The decision was met with disappointment from its dedicated user base.

In a statement, the company cited declining user engagement and increasing competition from other social media platforms.

This led to a significant decrease in revenue, making it unsustainable to continue operations.

PicT's user base had peaked at 10 million users in 2015 but had been steadily declining since then.

The company's decision to shut down was announced in a blog post on its website.

See what others are reading: International Removal Company Uk

Achieving Annual Growth

Container ships at Terminal Burchardkai, Hamburg, showcasing global trade.
Credit: pexels.com, Container ships at Terminal Burchardkai, Hamburg, showcasing global trade.

Achieving Annual Growth has been a hallmark of PICT's success since the completion of Phase I in 2004. PICT container handling volumes have been significantly growing every year.

The growth has been impressive, with an annual growth of over 100 percent in 2005-6. This remarkable increase led to a total of 302,000 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Container Units) being handled during that period.

Key Information and Statistics

Pakistan International Container Terminal is a significant player in the country's logistics industry. It is located in Karachi, which is the largest port city in Pakistan.

The terminal has a capacity to handle 1.2 million TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) per year. This is a substantial figure, considering the terminal's role in facilitating international trade.

The terminal operates 24/7, ensuring that cargo is processed and loaded/unloaded in a timely manner. This level of efficiency is crucial for businesses that rely on swift transportation of goods.

Discover more: Pakistan Post

A cargo ship docked at Container Terminal Altenwerder in Hamburg, Germany.
Credit: pexels.com, A cargo ship docked at Container Terminal Altenwerder in Hamburg, Germany.

Pakistan International Container Terminal has a container storage capacity of over 10,000 TEUs. This allows for efficient storage and handling of containers, minimizing delays and costs.

The terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including cranes and reach stackers. This ensures that cargo is handled safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of damage or loss.

A fresh viewpoint: Storage Container Cover

Terminal Types and Capacity

The multipurpose terminal at Pakistan International Container Terminal is a vital part of its operations. It has four multi-purpose berths, each 800 meters long and divided into 200 meters sections.

Berth no 1 is specifically designed to handle large vessels carrying edible oil, chemicals, and molasses, with a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per annum.

Vessels over 25,000 DWT are typically handled at Berth no 1. Berths 2 to 4, on the other hand, can accommodate even larger vessels drawing more than 35,000 DWT.

Multi Purpose Terminal

The Multi Purpose Terminal is a versatile facility that can handle a wide range of cargo. It has four multi-purpose berths, each 800 meters long, divided into 200 meters sections.

Intermodal Container Stacked on Port
Credit: pexels.com, Intermodal Container Stacked on Port

Berth number 1 has a design capacity of around 2.5 million tonnes per annum. Vessels over 25,000 DWT carrying edible oil, chemicals, and molasses are being handled at this berth.

Berths 2 to 4 are capable of accommodating larger vessels, with design capacities of 5 to 6 million tonnes. These berths can handle vessels drawing more than 35,000 DWT.

Two transit sheds, each measuring 10,000 square meters, are located at berths 2 and 4. These sheds provide ample space for cargo handling and storage.

The entire range of cargo handling, from opening the hatch of the ship to delivery of the consignment, is carried out by Cargo Handling Companies (CHC) from the private sector. This is done under one window operation, making the process efficient and streamlined.

2nd Container Terminal

The 2nd Container Terminal, also known as QICT, was established on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis.

It was designed to accommodate 6,000 TEUs container vessels, which is a significant capacity.

The terminal was built at an estimated cost of US $211 million.

The commercial operation of the project started in January 2011.

QICT has a capacity of 14 million tonnes per annum.

This terminal was established in 2006, with the implementation agreement signed on August 17th of that year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many container terminals are there in Karachi?

There are three container terminals in Karachi, operated by KGTL, KICT, and SAPTL. These terminals are strategically located at the East, West, and South Wharfs.

What is the new name of PICT?

The new name of PICT is Karachi Gateway Terminal Ltd, following a lease agreement with AD Ports Group in June 2023.

What is container terminal in shipping?

A container terminal is a facility where cargo containers are transferred between different transport vehicles for further shipping. It's a crucial hub in the global supply chain, facilitating the efficient movement of goods.

Which port is PICT?

PICT is located at Karachi Port, the largest port in Pakistan. It offers a unique advantage with an onsite railway link for freight trains.

Gretchen Gerhold

Writer

Gretchen Gerhold has established herself as a prolific writer, covering a diverse range of topics including logistics, trade, and economic development. Her articles on container terminals and the logistics sector in India provide deep insights into the complexities of modern supply chain management. Focusing on the state of Kerala, her work on the economy and transport in Kochi highlights the region's significant contributions to India's economic landscape.

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