The Port Muhammad Bin Qasim ( ur, ''Bandar-gāh Muhammad bin Qāsim''), or Qasim Port Authority ( ur, ), also known as Port Qasim, is a deep-water
seaport
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Ham ...
in
Karachi
Karachi (; ur, ; ; ) is the most populous city in Pakistan and 12th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 20 million. It is situated at the southern tip of the country along the Arabian Sea coast. It is the former cap ...
,
Sindh
Sindh (; ; ur, , ; historically romanized as Sind) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan. Located in the southeastern region of the country, Sindh is the third-largest province of Pakistan by land area and the second-largest province ...
,
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...
, on the coastline of the
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea ( ar, اَلْبَحرْ ٱلْعَرَبِيُّ, Al-Bahr al-ˁArabī) is a region of the northern Indian Ocean bounded on the north by Pakistan, Iran and the Gulf of Oman, on the west by the Gulf of Aden, Guardafui Channel ...
under the administrative control of the
Secretary to the Government of Pakistan for Maritime Affairs. It is Pakistan's second busiest
port
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Ham ...
, handling about 35% of the nation's cargo (17 million tons per annum). Port Qasim and
Karachi Port
The Port of Karachi ( ur, , ''Bandar gāh Karāchī'') is one of South Asia's largest and busiest deep-water seaports, handling about 60% of the nation's cargo (25 million tons per annum) located in Karachi, Pakistan. It is located on the Karac ...
, the busiest port of country, together handle more than 90% of all external trade of Pakistan.
The port encompasses a total area of wherein many industrial zones operate. In addition to the
Pakistan Steel Mills
The Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation, colloquially referred to as ''Pak Steels'', is a Pakistan-based company that produces long-rolled steel and heavy metal products in the country.
Headquartered in Karachi, Sindh, the PSMC is currently the la ...
(PSM) and
KESC Bin Qasim Power Plant, around 80% of the Pakistan's automotive industry is located at Port Qasim. The port also provides direct waterfront access to two major nearby industrial areas, Export Processing Zone (Landhi) and Korangi Industrial Area. Approximately 60% of country's export and import is originated from these areas. Port Qasim is managed by Port Qasim Authority, a semi-autonomous government body.
History
In the 1970s, as a part of
Pakistani Prime Minister
The prime minister of Pakistan ( ur, , romanized: Wazīr ē Aʿẓam , ) is the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Executive authority is vested in the prime minister and his chosen cabinet, despite the president of Pakist ...
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar (or Zulfiqar) Ali Bhutto ( ur, , sd, ذوالفقار علي ڀٽو; 5 January 1928 – 4 April 1979), also known as Quaid-e-Awam ("the People's Leader"), was a Pakistani barrister, politician and Politician, statesman who served as ...
's program for economic reforms and establishment of heavy industries, country's first steel mill (
Pakistan Steel Mills
The Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation, colloquially referred to as ''Pak Steels'', is a Pakistan-based company that produces long-rolled steel and heavy metal products in the country.
Headquartered in Karachi, Sindh, the PSMC is currently the la ...
) was established near the southern city of Karachi. A purpose-built specialised port facility was also decided to be established for bulk handling of the massive imports of raw materials for steel production by the Pakistan Steel Mill of Pakistan.
[ Forty Years of Pakistan Peoples Party](_blank)
The official site of Pakistan Peoples Party
The Pakistan People's Party ( ur, , ; PPP) is a centre-left, social-democratic political party in Pakistan. It is currently the third largest party in the National Assembly and second largest in the Senate of Pakistan. The party was founded ...
. In addition to the future economic demands and strategic needs, this port was also meant to relieve congestion at the only seaport
Karachi Port
The Port of Karachi ( ur, , ''Bandar gāh Karāchī'') is one of South Asia's largest and busiest deep-water seaports, handling about 60% of the nation's cargo (25 million tons per annum) located in Karachi, Pakistan. It is located on the Karac ...
of the country. This port was named as Port Muhammad bin Qasim (also known as Port Qasim), after the
Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
general
Muhammad bin Qasim
Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim al-Thaqāfī ( ar, محمد بن القاسم الثقفي; –) was an Arab military commander in service of the Umayyad Caliphate who led the Muslim conquest of Sindh (part of modern Pakistan), inaugurating the Umayya ...
who conquered Daybul and the coastal areas of Sindh around 712 CE.
[ Port Qasim – its potential as free trade & industrial zone]
by Jamil A. Siddiqui in June 1991 issue of Economic Review.[ Port Qāsim(Pakistan, Section Manufacturing)](_blank)
Encyclopædia Britannica Online 2009.
Location
Port Qasim is located, adjacent to the Bin Qasim town, in the southern part of Malir district, Karachi division, in Sindh. It is located in an old channel of the
Indus River
The Indus ( ) is a transboundary river of Asia and a trans-Himalayan river of South and Central Asia. The river rises in mountain springs northeast of Mount Kailash in Western Tibet, flows northwest through the disputed region of Kashmir, ...
at a distance of 35 kilometres east of Karachi city center.
The geographic position of the Port Qasim places it in close proximity to major shipping routes. The approach to the port is along a 45-kilometre long Navigation Channel which provides safe navigation for vessels up to .
Location of the Port Qasim makes it very well connected to the transportation infrastructure of the country. It is at distance of only 15 km from the national highway, providing direct access to the hinterland through road. A further 14 km of railway track inside the terminal links it to the national railway network through 6 railway tracks.
Jinnah International Airport
Jinnah International Airport ( ur, جناح بین الاقوامی ہوائی اڈا) , formerly Drigh Road Airport or Karachi Civil Airport, is Pakistan's busiest international and domestic airport, and handled 7,267,582 passengers in 2017 ...
is also very near, at a distance of 22 km.
Port Qasim's residential area is a neighbourhood of
Bin Qasim Town
Bin Qasim Town ( sd, بن قاسم ٽائون, ur, ) is a Constituent Town of Karachi, lying on the eastern part of the city, north of Port Qasim. Bin Qasim Town was formed in 2001 as part of The Local Government Ordinance 2001, and was subd ...
of Karachi.
Land allocation for port and industrial zones
The total area of the port comprises 3,520 acres (14.2 km
2) with an adjacent 8,700 acres (35 km
2) industrial estate. Port Qasim has been divided into three main zones as following:
Terminal facilities
Currently Port Qasim is offering following facilities:
Night navigation facilities are available at the port, handling up to vessels of LOA 202 meters during night.
Expansion projects
Port Qasim has planned for a major expansion in coming years with
FDI of US$1.22 billion approximately.
Major expansion projects of the port are as following:
Integrated cargo container control (IC3) facility
The country's first Integrated Cargo Container Control (IC3) facility is being constructed at Port Qasim with a joint investment over US$8 million by Pakistan Customs and the US Customs and Border Protection.
The purpose of the IC3 programme is to enhance international maritime trade security considering post 9/11 security issues. The IC3 programme envisages joint screening of US-bound containerised cargo from Pakistan via live video link by the customs authorities of Pakistan and the US. The US Customs will not subject the screened cargo to re-examination on arrival at US ports. This facility will support trade in terms of reduced time and cost of shipments.
Environmental issues
Mangrove forest
Port Qasim is located on the northwest edge of the
Indus Delta
The Indus River Delta ( ur, سندھ ڈیلٹا, sd, سنڌو ٽِڪور), forms where the Indus River flows into the Arabian Sea, mostly in the southern Sindh province of Pakistan with a small portion in the Kutch District, Kutch Region of Indi ...
system. The system is characterised by long and narrow creeks, mud flats and the
Indus River Delta-Arabian Sea mangroves
The Indus ( ) is a transboundary river of Asia and a trans-Himalayan river of South and Central Asia. The river rises in mountain springs northeast of Mount Kailash in Western Tibet, flows northwest through the disputed region of Kashmir ...
, one of the largest
mangrove forest
Mangrove forests, also called mangrove swamps, mangrove thickets or mangals, are productive wetlands that occur in coastal intertidal zones. Mangrove forests grow mainly at tropical and subtropical latitudes because mangroves cannot withstand fr ...
ecosystems found in an arid climate.
[ In 1972 eight species of mangrove trees were recorded from Pakistan, however, only four continue to thrive. Several species of reptiles, birds, and terrestrial mammals inhabit the project area, wherever suitable habitats are found. These are constantly under threat due to increased shipping and industrial activities in the area.
]
WWF Pakistan has taken a mangrove conservation initiative recognising the social, ecological and economic significance of the mangrove forests in the coastal areas of Sindh
Sindh (; ; ur, , ; historically romanized as Sind) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan. Located in the southeastern region of the country, Sindh is the third-largest province of Pakistan by land area and the second-largest province ...
and Balochistan
Balochistan ( ; bal, بلۏچستان; also romanised as Baluchistan and Baluchestan) is a historical region in Western and South Asia, located in the Iranian plateau's far southeast and bordering the Indian Plate and the Arabian Sea coastline. ...
. As a part of this, initiative has been taken on conservation of the mangrove ecosystem in the Korangi – Phitti Creek system, in the Indus Delta (including Port Qasim area). The project aims to conserve selected degraded mangrove forests in the Korangi – Phitti creek area through involvement of community, local schoolchildren and other stakeholders like Port Qasim Authority and the Government Forest Department.[ Conservation of Mangrove Forests in the Coastal Areas of Sindh and Balochistan]
by WWF Pakistan.
Tasman oil spill 2003 at Karachi Beach
In August 2003, the beach immediately west of the Port Qasim navigation channel was the scene of a major oil spillage when the Greek-registered Tasman Spirit
The ''Tasman Spirit'' was a Greek registered oil tanker. The tanker was launched in February 1979 and was formerly called the ''Mabini'' and ''Kenko''.
''Tasman Spirit'' oil spill
On July 27, 2003, she ran aground near the city of Karachi whi ...
ran aground. The environmental impact included large numbers of dead fish and turtles and a key mangrove forest, as well as dozens of people suffering nausea. At that time, it was feared that this incident will harm the coastal life in the Port Qasim area, however no major impact was observed near the Phitti Creek (waterway entrance to Port Qasim). Tasman Spirit Oil Spill – Assessment Report
Pakistan – Oil spill in the Port of Karachi, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Pollution-free terminal
Recently Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has announced that an implementation agreement is being signed for the development of a 'pollution-free' Coal, Cement and Clinker Terminal (CCCT) worth $175 million with a handling capacity of up to eight million tons per year at port. This step would save the environment from irreparable damages and the health of the port workforce and nearby populations from serious respiratory diseases which would have been a serious threat if the powdery coal was handled in open/bulk on berths at port.
[ Port Qasim Authority to build $175 million ‘pollution-free’ facility](_blank)
Daily Business Recorder, 23 October 2009.
See also
*
List of ports in Pakistan
The following is a list of ports in Pakistan. All ports in Pakistan are maintained and governed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Government of Pakistan.
List of ports
See also
* List of dry ports of Pakistan
* List of fish harbours of ...
*
Port of Karachi
The Port of Karachi ( ur, , ''Bandar gāh Karāchī'') is one of South Asia's largest and busiest deep-water seaports, handling about 60% of the nation's cargo (25 million tons per annum) located in Karachi, Pakistan. It is located on the Karac ...
*
Port of Gwadar
The Gwadar Port ( ur, ) is situated on the Arabian Sea at Gwadar in Balochistan province of Pakistan and is under the administrative control of the Maritime Secretary of Pakistan and operational control of the China Overseas Port Holding Com ...
*
Keti Bandar
The Keti Bandar Port ( ur, ) is a port on the Arabian Sea, in the Thatta District, Sindh, Pakistan. The port was built on the remains of the older seaport of Debal where Muhammad bin Qasim and his army arrived from Iraq. Keti Bandar is approxima ...
*
List of seaports
Lists of ports cover ports of various types, maritime facilities with one or more wharves where ships may dock to load and discharge passengers and cargo.
Most are on the sea coast or an estuary, but some are many miles inland, with access to th ...
*
Bin Qasim Town
Bin Qasim Town ( sd, بن قاسم ٽائون, ur, ) is a Constituent Town of Karachi, lying on the eastern part of the city, north of Port Qasim. Bin Qasim Town was formed in 2001 as part of The Local Government Ordinance 2001, and was subd ...
*
Buddo Island
Buddo Island (also known as ''Dingi'')' ( ur, جزیرہ بدو); ( sd, ڏنگي ٻيٽ) is a small island located in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi in Sindh province of Pakistan.
Bhuddo island is un-inhabited and total area is . On ...
*
Bundal Island
Bundal Island ( ur, جزیرہ بھنڈار}) ( sd, ڀنڍار ٻيٽ ) is a small island located in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi, Sindh. It is an inhabited island on which an old Sufi Saint, Yousuf Shah's shrine is also present.
...
*
Port Qasim Authority
The Port Muhammad Bin Qasim ( ur, ''Bandar-gāh Muhammad bin Qāsim''), or Qasim Port Authority ( ur, ), also known as Port Qasim, is a deep-water seaport in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, on the coastline of the Arabian Sea under the administra ...
*
Port Qasim Authority cricket team
Port Qasim Authority cricket team was a first-class cricket team which plays in the domestic circuit of Pakistan. The team is sponsored by the Port Qasim Authority in Karachi. The team qualified for first-class cricket in May 2012, following suc ...
*
Ministry of Maritime Affairs (Pakistan)
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs ( ur, ), previously known as the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, is a Federal Ministry of the Government of Pakistan. The current Minister for Maritime Affairs is Faisal Subzwari and the current Federal Secreta ...
References
External links
Port Qasim AuthorityPakistan National Shipping CorporationPort Qasim Location Map
{{Authority control
Ports in Karachi
Ports and harbours of Pakistan
Coastal cities and towns in Pakistan
Bin Qasim Town
Ministry of Maritime Affairs (Pakistan)