- INTRODUCTION OF THE DEPARTMENT:
BACKGROUND:
- Karachi Port is the pioneer Sea Port of Pakistan and referred as Gateway to Pakistan, managed closed coordination with Port Users and utilized the available area and capable to handle the cargo and containers (Import / Export) commodities / goods as per requirements.
- KPT have potential of handling more than 125 Million Tons cargo including 25 million tons Liquid Bulk Cargo.
- The Liquid Bulk Cargo operations manage at 03 Oil Piers, apart from at B.No. 1,2 & 24.
- Karachi Port including its 03 Private Container Terminals, has sufficient capacity of handling about 4.25 Million TEUs (containers) as well as Transshipment and In-Transit containers.
- KPT handles cargo through its Licensed Stevedores capable / equipped with required facilities for handling of Import Dry Bulk cargo / commodities including Wheat, Sugar & Export Clinker etc in accordance with country’s requirement.
FUNCTION OF TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT:
- Traffic Department is headed by Traffic Manager (BPS-20), responsible to the General Manager (Ops). The Deptt. is responsible for efficient management of cargo handling operations.
- Traffic Department extends facilities to Port Users in view of 133 years experience of handling such cargo / commodities.
- Traffic Department facilitates in berthing the Dry Bulk vessels apart from providing competitive rates of Wharfage, Weighment & Storage etc.
- The drafts of about 13 meters apart from dedicated berths are available at East Wharf to accommodate Dry Bulk vessels like Export Clinker.
- Traffic Deptt. is to discharge its duties as a custodian of cargo & ensures its delivery to the bonafide importers apart from facilitating the exports.
- The Deptt. manages the Liquid Bulk Cargo operations through 03 Oil Piers, apart from handling of Liquid Bulk at B.No. 1,2 & 24.
- The coordination is managed with all 3 Private Container Terminals including the process of billing etc.
- Traffic Depart of Operation Division KPT, provides round the clock facilities to Port Users for transaction / clearance / handling of Import / Export cargo throughout the year apart from following for domestic as well as In-Transit cargo:
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- Clearance process executed through iPOS system.
- Wharfage and Storage process under single window.
- Round the clock working i.e. 24 / 7 Port Operations at all over the port.
- Day and night ships movement.
- Computerized weighbridges and its online connectivity with landing / delivery sections.
- Round the clock banking facilities for Port Users.
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- POLICIES / SOPs:
- PRINCIPLE DUTIES:
- For improving key performance indicators (KPIs) / initiatives the Traffic Department follows policies / SOPs may be taken:
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- M/s. KICT, PICT and especially M/s. SAPTL is to attract more business in Transshipment and Afghan In-Transit Containers at their respective wharves.
- M/s. SAPTL is to double their efforts by utilizing all their berths for the Transshipment and In-Transit Containers.
- Overhead road connectivity from M/s. SAPTL to Northern Bypass for smooth flow of containerized cargo from & to the terminal.
- Development of re-claimed area along with South Wharf to feed the containers Terminal for Port Users.
- Re-routing some of the roads by Provincial Government is coordination with KPT.
- Overhead road connectivity from M/s. SAPTL to Northern Bypass for smooth flow of containerized cargo from & to the terminal is under the consideration of P&D Division.
- In the line of government policy, KPT may further facilitate to export cargo like Wheat, Sugar & Rice etc.
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- KEY FACTORS BEHIND THE BUSINESS TERMINOLOGIES:
- As per current scenario primarily, overall Pakistan's Seaborne Trade registered increased.
- International, the overall shipping has been drastically improved as compared with corresponding period.
- Mega container ships in the wider supply - as shipping absorbs ever-larger vessels, supply chain businesses are exploring the challenges.
- The companies holding the largest market share in the Global Marine & Container Terminal Operation industry include:
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- DP World
- CK Hutchison Holdings Limited
- APM Terminals International B.V.
- China Merchants Port Holdings Company Ltd.
- PSA International Pte Ltd.
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- The Linkage of Railways connectivity with Container Terminals.
- Empty Container / Export goods storage facility at TPX.
- In order to ease out the congestion at Terminals, KPT allows shifting of Containers from Terminal to KPT area.
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- INTERACTION WITH THE PORT USER:
- To maintain the glory of KPT background / business, the Traffic Department always ready to provide close / constant platform to facilities / coordination the Port Users like:
- The marketing department with the coordination of terminals due to be established for attracting following 03 categories of cargo:
- Domestic
- In-Transit
- Transshipment
- Further, in order to facilitate the Port Users, the Marketing Section of Traffic Department is regularly updating of Shipping Intelligence Reports on KPT Website since long.
- The Traffic Department also facilitates to Shipping Agents in berthing of their vessels apart from providing competitive rates of Wharfage, Weighment & Storage etc.
- The Traffic Department is to discharge its duties as a custodian of cargo & ensures its delivery to the bonafide importers / port users apart from facilitating the exports.
- The Traffic Department manages the Liquid Bulk Cargo operations with closed coordination / Private Terminal Operators.
- The Traffic Department extends at the areas where cargo is handled and passengers are embarked or disembarked within the bonded premises of port.
- This department also manages / coordination with all 3 Private Container Terminals including the process of billing etc.
- In order to facilitate Port Users / Trade in prevailing situation of COVID-19, KPT with the approval of Federal Government has granted extension of existing free period from 05 working days to 15 working days with effect from 25.03.2020 to 31.05.2020 for cargo / container clearance.
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- ACHIEVEMENTS OF PAST 3 YEARS:
- KPT broke all previous records in Cargo / container category in financial year of 2017-18. However as desired the available statement pertains to last 3 years Cargo / Containers Handling at KPT is given as follows:
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- IMPLEMENTATIONS:
- The Chairman KPT manage closed coordination with Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Sindh Government and Inspector General Motorways at the start of Covid–19 Pandemic to ensure continuity of Port Operations.
- KPT also undertook measures to make available all essential staff for 24/7 Port Operations.
- KPT performance remained outstanding during global lockdown situation, especially for Shipping Operations and Cargo Handling.
- FUTURE PLANS TO FACILITATE CARGO HANDLING:
- Development of TPX as backup area.
- Speedy and controlled Entry / Exit at port.
- Utilization of Scanners at East & West Wharf by Customs.
- KPT to match its policies of Tariff etc. to handle the expected enhanced export being improvements in Energy Sector / Favourable Government policies / incentives.
Apart from aforesaid recommendations it is proposed that the re-claimed / other land to be considered to offer to private entrepreneurs i.e Stevedores & Shipping Agents for utilization of same for port-related business operations. It will attract the additional business at Karachi Port.