DP World opens new terminal at Pakistan’s Port Qasim

Monday, 17 January 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Container vessel CMA CGM Wagner the first to call at new facility

Global marine terminal operator DP World announces the opening of its new container terminal in Port Qasim near Karachi in Pakistan, celebrating the arrival last week of its first customer, the French container vessel, CMA CGM Wagner.

The opening of Terminal 2, the major expansion of DP World Karachi, will take capacity at Port Qasim to around 1.2 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) from around 900,000 TEU and marks the successful completion of the first of DP World’s 3-phase development – the largest ever investment in the port sector in Pakistan.

Port Qasim Authority Chairman Vice Admiral Muhammad Shafi presented a commemorative plaque to the Captain of the 276-metre long and 40-metre wide CMA CGM Wagner at a ceremony attended by senior managers from DP World Karachi, representatives of the ship owners, diplomats and port staff.

DP World Karachi is Pakistan’s first dedicated international container terminal and is ideally located to provide services for major shipping lines and importers and exporters as a gateway port and transit facility for upcountry Pakistan and Afghanistan. Its location outside Karachi city allows faster inter-modal connectivity and reduces the need to transport transit containers through the city.

Built on 13 hectares of reclaimed land, Terminal 2’s quay is 670m long with three gantry cranes capable of handling vessels of around 6700 TEU capacity, and six rubber tyred gantry (RTGs) cranes.

In line with market demand, Terminal 2 will be developed in a further two phases of heavy duty pavement expansion over a period of several years. Each future phase of the terminal will be fully integrated and compatible with the existing terminal.

DP World CEO Mohammed Sharaf said: “The inauguration of Terminal 2 at Port Qasim marks an important milestone in DP World’s expansion plans for the South Asia region. Our investment in its development as Pakistan’s first dedicated container port hub is in direct response to the growth we have been experiencing in the region. It will contribute directly to the local community and Pakistan’s economy in general. DP World is pleased to be a partner in Pakistan’s progress.”

DP World Karachi CEO Changez Niazi said: “DP World Karachi is pleased to welcome CMA CGM Wagner as the first customer at our Terminal 2 in QICT. The new facility further boosts our position as Pakistan’s premier container terminal. We are committed to expanding our cost-effective and time-efficient services in line with our customers’ needs, and thank the Port Qasim Authority for their dedicated cooperation in making this day happen.”