Karachi, January 7, 2021: Federal Minister of Railways, Azam Khan Swati, visited Hutchison Ports Pakistan today, and was introduced the operations by the management and given a comprehensive tour of the facilities, and its capabilities as a state-of-the-art terminal. The Federal Minister was also updated on the port’s phase 2 expansion plans. As part of the expansion plans, the Minister assured Hutchison Ports Pakistan that external infrastructure and connectivity to the terminal’s internal rail siding will be completed by 31 March 2021. It was also discussed that Pakistan Railway may provide rail connectivity in the interim period by repurposing of the coal yard sidings adjacent to the terminal facilities.
General Manager and Head of Hutchison Ports Pakistan, Captain Rashid Jamil, said in a statement, “Hutchison Ports Pakistan management is pleased to have hosted the Federal Minister on this occasion, and would like to thank the Railways Minister for his visit, as it marks a positive beginning to the new year”.
The port has been playing an important role since its first day of operations by creating optimal conditions for accelerated trade. It will further amplify Karachi’s potential and speed up its transformation into a prime South Asian hub for trade and transport activities.
##ABOUT HUTCHISON PORTS PAKISTAN
Hutchison Ports Pakistan is situated at the estuary of the Keamari Groyne basin, providing the most convenient access to ships entering Karachi. The new facility is the closest Pakistan port to the shipping lanes in the Arabian Sea. Its prime location offers the shortest steaming time from the Fairway Buoy, and will bring real benefits to customers, relating to time, cost, reduction in risk of delays, and reduced carbon emissions.
Hutchison Ports Pakistan is a member of Hutchison Ports, the port and related services division of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (CK Hutchison). Hutchison Ports is the world’s leading port investor, developer and operator with a network of port operations in 52 ports spanning 26 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. Over the years, Hutchison Ports has expanded into other logistics and transportation-related businesses, including cruise ship terminals, distribution centres, rail services and ship repair facilities.
In 2019, Hutchison Ports handled a combined throughput of 86.0 million TEU.