Qasim International Container Terminal

CYRUS R KHURSIGARA
ARTICLE (January 26 2008): Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) was constituted on July 5, 1994 specifically to tender for the construction and operation of what would be Pakistan's first Dedicated International Container Terminal, to be built at Port Muhammad Bin Qasim on a build/own/operate basis.

QICT was a consortium put together by P&O Ports, Mackinnons Pakistan, P&O Containers Pakistan Limited, the Commonwealth Development Corporation of the UK, and the Pakistan-Kuwait Investment Company, the latter being a joint venture between the governments of Pakistan and Kuwait.

Subsequently P&O Ports demonstrating their commitment to the project, bought out CDC and Pak-Kuwait and owned 55% equity in QICT with 25% being owned by International Terminal Holdings limited of UK and 20% being owned by APM Terminals.

In March 2006 P&O Ports was globally bought over by DP World (Dubai Ports World), one of the top three marine terminal operators in the world having the widest network of 52 terminals spanning 30 countries and five continents. A global capacity of 50 million TEUs and a dedicated, experienced and professional team of 30,000 people providing services in some of the most dynamic economies of the world.

OUR MISSION:

Our Mission is to provide World Class port services and to be a global player in operating and managing ports. We will provide value-for-money, high quality services to our customers through motivated and innovative employees. Our people will be empowered to make optimum utilisation of modern facilities, technology and resources while ensuring a reasonable return on investment.

OUR VISION:

Our vision is to be the Port of Choice for our customers in each of our locations. To excel in Operations , Sales and Customer Service to our clients and to enhance the position of the local communities and countries in which we operate as gateways for global trade.

GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE:

DP World Karachi (QICT) is located at Port Qasim at a distance of 50kms from the City Center and is approximately 15 kms from the National Highway. The port is located 24 degree and 46 second north and 67 degree and 21 second east. Port Qasim encompasses a total area of 12,000 acres where in many industrial zones are operating. 80% of the automotive industry is located in Port Qasim. A large number of Multi National companies have opened ware houses at Port Qasim for stuffing / destuffing of import / export cargo which are at very close proximity to the terminal.

HINTERLAND:

DP World Karachi (QICT) is closer to vital up-country markets from where 70% of our exports are originated. Being at a strategic location ie Port Qasim which is 15 kms from the National highway making it very well connected with the Hinterland through road and 14kms of railway link inside the terminal to the National railway network through 6 railway tracks is another very convenient connection to the hinterland. As 60 to 70% of imports and exports originate from the hinterland DP World Karachi is ideally suited for trade with the hinterland.

MILESTONES:

-- Pakistan's first State of the Art Modern Container Terminal

-- Number 1 terminal in Pakistan in terms of yearly throughput amongst 4 terminals presently in operation in Pakistan holding a 40% market share.

-- Number 1 terminal in Pakistan in terms of monthly throughput amongst 4 terminals presently in operation in Pakistan.

-- Crossed the threshold of completing 700,000 teus in one year by achieving a throughput of 720,000 teus during 2007.

-- Maximum throughput in a month 70361 teus (Nov' 2007)

-- Largest vessel ever handled in Pakistan Maersk Mecl Service vessels 295m LOA.

-- First and only terminal in Pakistan to achieve ISO 9001:2000, 14001:1996 & 18001:1999 and ISO 27001 for Information Security Management.

PREFERRED CONTAINER TERMINAL:

QICT is the country's premier port and logistics investor and operator. We are committed to deliver to our customers the world's best practice in services related to port operations and logistics for containers and RO-RO cargoes.

We give highest priority to the welfare, development, training, health and safety of all our employees. Their well-being, together with our investment in facilities and equipment, ensures our customers that they will always receive the best and most efficient service from us.

We use our expertise and resources to engage in other domestic and international undertakings in synergy with our existing business. We optimise the use of all our resources to provide our shareholders with maximum returns on their investment.

NO KARACHI DOCK LABOR LEVY: QICT is the only terminal in Pakistan which employs its own private labour which in turn is a huge saving for the shipping lines as they do not incur any DOCK LABOR LEVIES.

IDEAL LOCATION: The terminal is located 43 kms away from the congested city of Karachi resulting in a faster turnaround of the import and export cargoes and we have a separate truck holding area where in all import and export trucks are queued and all necessary documentation completed prior to entry into the terminal to expedite quick truck turnaround.

HASSLE FREE DOCUMENTATION: With the introduction of Paccs (Pakistan automated customs computerised system) the whole clearance process has been Integrated into one process which is virtually paper free. This has resulted in quicker truck turnaround , an absolute one window operation and view speedy clearance of import boxes more space has been creatged in the terminal. All the inquiries are addressed through the SMS based system introduced by QICT.

THEFT / PILFERAGE FREE OPERATION: QICT has CCTV coverage and security guards manning the facility 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year to ensure a total pilferage free operation to its customers.

OFF DOCK CONTAINER TERMINAL IN KARACHI: QICT also operates an off dock facility in the city called NLC Container Terminal situated at Mai Kolachi. The total area is approx.11 acres and has a capacity to handle 4000 teus per month. The facility came into operation on 25th May '2005. We are the only terminal in Pakistan to offer the facility to the importers to transport their units to Karachi at our Off Dock container Terminal "NLC Container Terminal" for clearance of their cargoes from Karachi.

Therefore the consignees and shippers have a unique choice that they may clear or deliver their cargoes at either QICT or NLCCT. Moreover, customers can now even collect their pick-up ticket for import deliveries, directly from NLCCT, thereby saving time and effort in coming all the way to QICT.

IC3 - A BRIEF HISTORY:

IC3 Programme is based on strategic partnership between Pakistan Customs and the United States Customs & Border Protection under the Safe Freight Initiative (SFI). In the new world order following 9/11, all Customs Administrations are obliged to forge ever closer links, in terms of operational synchronisation and information-sharing, to ensure that it is only the genuine commercial cargo which moves through Customs border controls with utmost speed and facilitation, and that deterrence levels are so effective that no economy should feel at risk from a hidden threat in such cargo.

These are the new principles of Customs-to-Customs interaction in the context of contemporary international commerce, reflected either under bilateral arrangements, or realised through adoption of legal instruments enunciated by the World Customs Organisation.

In implementing these principles, Pakistan Customs and the US Customs and Border Protection have worked together for one year and have jointly invested over US $8 million to create an infrastructure, which supports operational integration between them on the one hand, and ensures security and facilitation for the trade, on the other.

The Declaration of Principles on the IC3 Programme was signed between Pakistan Customs and the United State Customs and Border Protection in Islamabad in March 2006, and, inter alia, covers all exports from Pakistan to the United States. The IC3 programme is fully operational since August'2007.

ADVANTAGES:

-- No delays for just in time shipments.

-- Reduced cost of business.

-- US buyers to gain more confidence in Pakistan's exports.

-- No operational delays of cargo at US ports view necessary clearance from the IC3 facility.

-- The US Importer would avoid costs resulting from the inspection and delayed clearance of imports at US ports.

-- Reduced clearance time at both ends resulting in net gain in business for both Pakistan and USA.

SIGNING OF THE 2nd CONTAINER TERMINAL AT PORT QASIM:

QICT's Sponsors will invest USD 250 million for establishing a Second Container Terminal at PORT QASIM ON BOT basis. DP-World CEO Mohammad Sharaf and Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Chairman Vice Admiral M.Asad Qureshi signed an agreement to this effect at the Prime Minister's House on 17th of August,2006.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Federal Minister Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri were also present on the occasion. This project is the highest ever foreign direct investment in port sector and would be completed in 3 phases with an overall capacity of 1.175 million teus and will enhance the total capacity of QICT to 2.175 million teus.

THROUGHPUT INCREASES SINCE 2001:

In terms of traffic, QICT handled 163,000 TEUs in 2001, 226,000 TEUs in 2002 333,000 teus in 2003, 496,000 teus in 2004, 545000 teus in 2005 and 629000 teus in 2006 and hopefully would completed 720,000 teus in 2007 which amply justifies QICT as the number one terminal in Pakistan.

SHIPPING LINES OPERATING AT QICT:

Maersk Sealand , APL, Safmarine, Hanjin , Senator Lines , CMA-CGM , Cpships , Hapag Lloyd , UASC , Hamburg Sud, OOCL , NYK , MOL , MSC , Norasia , LNL , NSCSA, China Shipping , Samudera Shipping Line , Hyundai Merchant Marine , Emirates Shipping line , Simatech , ANL , MacAndrews , Lykes line , OEL , Sea Consortium and many other NVOCC operators.

QICT TERMINAL SPECIFICATIONS:

QICT occupies berths 5, 6 and 7 at Port Qasim, encompassing a total area of 240,000m2. The quay wall is 600m long and the draught is 11m. QICT also provides very important intermodal and rail services to inland dry ports at Lahore, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Multan and Faisalabad. The rail terminal has its own stacking area adjacent to the rail sidings, with direct access to the terminal. Delivery of containers by trucks at the terminal also takes place round the clock.

The yard offers 216 own plugs for reefer boxes and 251 plugs with Gensets with a maximum holding capacity of 12,000 TEU. 6 Post Panamax Quay cranes and 21 RTGs running on fixed strips and 8 reach-stackers, with a variety of forklifts available for empty box handling mostly undertake front line yard and vessel handling operations.

The whole operation is managed by a computer system by Navis incorporating a radio-data link between the yard vehicles and the planning center.

COMPLETED AND NEAR COMPLETION PROJECTS:

Civil works being undertaken which includes a brand new 5 storey Operations Centre completed in September'2005, Reclamation of 40,000sq.m land which would substantially increase our yard capacity and a brand new State of the Art Gate House operational since December,2007.

QICT has been ISPS Compliant since 1st July,2004 and is truly the "Port of the Future" for Pakistan and a vital institution assisting in the growth of the Nation's prosperity.


Copyright Business Recorder, 2008