LAHORE:
An upgraded bulk terminal has been developed at the Karachi port, but it lacks a rail line, sources said on Friday.
The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) had entered into a concession agreement with the UAE government’s Abu Dhabi Ports Group (ADPG) to operate the Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL).
Under the pact, the terminal was modernized at a cost of $220 million, with an additional investment of $1.8 billion over the next 10 years.
The capacity of the terminal has been increased and the depth of the berths has been extended to accommodate post-panamax vessels carrying 8,500 containers.
The new terminal will handle thousands of containers but without rail lines.
The sources said that Pakistan Railways was not included while signing the agreement for the new terminal.
They added that there would be an investment of $1.8 billion, but not a single penny had been earmarked for a rail line.
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Shipping thousands of containers is impossible only by road transport.
The sources pointed out that railway lines were also built along ports around the world, including India.
They continued that a railway line would have benefited the country’s exporters and importers as their goods would reach their destinations on time.
Pakistan Railways started a one kilometer long freight train just a week ago.
The sources claimed that 70% of the world’s business activities were carried out through freight trains.
Pakistan Railways has set a record by running the world’s longest freight train that was an impressive length of over 2,500 feet and included 50 imposing coaches, its spokesman said last week.
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The spokesman added that the freight train was powered by a formidable GE U40 locomotive engine.
He said the train’s journey started from Karachi, carrying a staggering load of over 3,000 tonnes of cargo, bound for Kotri.
“This monumental initiative not only marks a major breakthrough for Pakistan Railways but also promises significant benefits for the nation.”
Despite its colossal size, the freight train achieved remarkable speeds, reaching a top speed of 60 km per hour and maintaining an impressive average speed of 38 km per hour throughout its journey.
The agreement with KPT was part of ADPG’s investment strategy to expand its maritime presence and create long-term development opportunities in the region.
ADPG in a press statement said that under the terms of the 50-year concession agreement, a joint venture was formed between Abu Dhabi Ports, as the majority shareholder, and Kaheel Terminals, a UAE-based company, to manage, operate and develop the KGTL, berths 6-9 at Karachi Port’s East Wharf.
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