Ports support a nation’s economy by facilitating international trade and hosting ships that are here to support the country’s economic cycle.
The second-largest port in Pakistan and one of the major centres for imports and exports that keep the nation operating is Port Muhammad bin Qasim Karachi.
Port Qasim is one of the top 150 ports in the world. They build its infrastructure on an artificial harbour in the deep sea. It has existed since its founding in 1980 and is in Karachi, Sindh.
I’ll give you a thorough explanation of Port Qasim, how it affects the economy of the nation, and the areas nearby in this blog.
Port Qasim Location
Strategically, the Bin Qasim Port is near the main delivery routes that maintain the seamless operation of trade. This is one of the port’s greatest benefits and the key factor keeping it Pakistan’s second busiest port.
Just beyond the berths, the railway tracks are only 14 km and 15 km from the Pakistan National Highway, respectively. The largest airport in Pakistan, Jinnah Airport Karachi, is only 22 km away from this location.
Port Muhammad bin Qasim’s capacity
The Port Qasim Authority (PQA), which manages activities for this 50 square kilometre port, is currently in operation.
The Port is in the Indus Delta Region and has a 1000-acre footprint that connects to an 11,000-acre industrial estate. The Korangi Industrial region, which is a little outside of the city, is where you may find it.
The main reason many people mistakenly think that Port Karachi and this port are the same is that they are so close to one another and the Indus River.
They separate the harbour into three zones to make administrative tasks and commercial handling easier. i.e.
- Eastern Industrial Zone (EIZ) – 8,300 acres
- North Western Industrial Zone (NWIZ) – 2,920 acres
- South Western Industrial Zone (SWIZ) – 1,000 acres
The port Qasim is famous for the aspect that it features an Iron Ore Coal Berth that is only used to handle bulk raw materials transported to the Pakistan Steel Mills.
Currently, the Port has 18 berths that provide around 89 million tonnes of annual cargo (both government and private).
What kinds of Facilities does it have?
Besides the raw materials used in the production of steel, the innovative terminals at the port handle the management of the importation of oils, rice, cement, fertiliser, containers, mineral oils, coal, and even LNG. And it is what keeps the economy growing.
The fact that this port is the only one in Pakistan to handle LNG makes it particularly prominent. Because, among the list of Karachi Port Qasim industries, it functions as the nation’s main energy hub.
There are no recreation facilities nearby because ports are often totally devoted to material processing, import and export administration. And there is a lot of work going on there.
Usually, berthed ships at the Port are facilitated via
- Single berth Oil Terminal under Fotco Oil Terminal
- 4 berth Multipurpose Terminal under PQA
- 5 berth Container Terminal under Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT)
- Single berth Liquid Chemical Terminal under Engro Vopak Ltd.
Future expansionary projects for Port Qasim Karachi are being planned, and they will provide improved facilities for extra liquid cargo terminals, oil terminals, steel jettys, and container terminals.
In addition, there are proposals to build a GasPort LNG Floating Terminal, a Granada LNG Unit, and various coal and clinker processing units.
Throughput
Port Qasim handles nearly 40% of the country’s marine trade. Maritime trade during the financial year 2009-2010 was approximately 67Mt, an increase of over 5% over the previous year.
Equipments Present
Cargo handling equipment includes two 32t, two 8t and four 24t capacity cranes. In addition, 28 forklift trucks, ten units of tractors / towing and 28 trailers are present.
Container handling equipment includes five 40t quay cranes, two 35t quay cranes, 16 40t rubber-tyred gantries, six 45t reach stackers and three 7t empty handlers.
The port has owns 16 terminal tractors and operates another 30 tractors on hire basis.
How Do We Get to Port Qasim?
Over 80% of the manufacturing and assembling facilities supporting Pakistan’s automotive industry are in Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, which covers a total area of about 12,000 acres.
Because of its worth and significance for Pakistan’s economy and trade, as well as the ships that transport the cargo and containers. It attracts a lot of attention from those who are interested in learning more about how this system operates and where everything takes place.
It is difficult, though, to wander around the region. Although it may not be private, there aren’t any nearby recreational facilities. The only places that can satisfy the craving of the nearby residents and workers are neighbourhood dhaabas and food stores. It is near to the Russian beach in Port Qasim, Karachi.
While visiting with a port and trade handling employee is a good idea, the region is normally off-limits to the public because of the constant presence of heavy equipment and handling.
The Neighborhood of Port Muhammad bin Qasim
Instead of being a residential region, Port Qasim and its surroundings are an industrial area where you can choose if you’re interested in making a commercial investment or starting a business.
Given the abundance of food and textile factories in the region, this area is a preferred location for the establishment of factories and industries.
We can purchase plots in Port Qasim for 54 lacs for a 200 square yard plot. Price increases in property size, reaching a high of 17 crores for the cost of the land.
Investors looking to establish manufacturing facilities or warehouses for their companies should choose this port.
Given the aforementioned information, Port Qasim in Karachi plays a key role in the growth and development of Pakistan’s economy. It is an extensive region that manages trade for all regions and acts as the nation’s energy hub.
