Port Qasim
The Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, also known as Port Qasim, is a deep-water seaport in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, on the coastline of the Arabian Sea under the administrative control of the Secretary to the Government of Pakistan for Maritime Affairs. It is Pakistan's second busiest port, handling about 35% of the nation's cargo. Port Qasim and Karachi Port, 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 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 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 Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's program for economic reforms and establishment of heavy industries, country’s first steel mill 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. In addition to the future economic demands and strategic needs, this port was also meant to relieve congestion at the only seaport Karachi Port of the country. This port was named as Port Muhammad bin Qasim, after the Muslim general Muhammad bin Qasim who conquered Daybul and the coastal areas of Sindh around 712 CE.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 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 is also very near, at a distance of 22 km.
Port Qasim's residential area is a neighbourhood of Bin Qasim Town of Karachi.
Land allocation for port and industrial zones
The total area of the port comprises 3,520 acres with an adjacent 8,700 acres industrial estate. Port Qasim has been divided into three main zones as following:| Zone | Total Area | Area Reserved for Port Services | Area Reserved for Industrial Use |
| North Western Industrial Zone | 2,920 | 904 | 2,016 |
| South Western Industrial Zone | 1,000 | 125.5 | 874.5 |
| Eastern Industrial Zone | 8,300 | 2,490 | 5,810 |
| Total | 12,220 | 3,519.5 | 8,700 |
Terminal facilities
Currently Port Qasim is offering following facilities:| Facility | Berths | Berth Length | Owned by | Deadweight tonnage DWT |
| Multipurpose Terminal | 4 | 200 m | PQA | 35,000 |
| Container Terminal | 3 + 2 | 712 m + 615 m | Qasim International Container Terminal | 45,000 |
| Liquid Chemical Terminal | 1 | TBC | Engro Vopak Terminal Limited | 75,000 |
| Oil Terminal | 1 | TBC | Fotco Oil Terminal | 75,000 |
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:
| Project | Capacity | Budget | Completion Year |
| Liquid Cargo terminal | 4 million MT/year | US$15 million | 2009 |
| 2nd Container Terminal | 1.175 million TEUs/year | US$250 million | 2011 |
| GasPort LNG Floating Terminal | 3 million MT/year | US$160 million | 2010 |
| Grain & Fertilizer Terminal | 4 million MT/year | US$100 million | 2011 |
| Coal, Clinker & Cement Terminal | 8 million MT/year | US$180 million | 2011 |
| Granada LNG Terminal | 3.5 million MT/year | US$274 million | 2012 |
| 2nd Oil Terminal | 9 million MT/year | US$51.4 million | 2012 |
| 2nd Steel Jetty | 8 million MT/year | US$150 million | TBC |
| Deepening & Widening of navigation Channel | US$150 million | TBC | |
| Construction of a fly over and dual carriage way | Rs. 2 billion | TBC | |
| Infrastructure Development works in Eastern Industrial Zone | Rs. 8.8 billion | TBC | |
| Textile City with Power Plant & Waste Water Treatment Plant | Rs. 8.7 billion | TBC |
Integrated cargo container control (IC3) facility
The country’s first Integrated Cargo Container Control 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 system. The system is characterised by long and narrow creeks, mud flats and the Indus River Delta-Arabian Sea mangroves, one of the largest mangrove forest 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 and Balochistan. 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. 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.