KARACHI, Aug 23: Four vessels carrying containers are expected to arrive at the outer anchorage on Saturday, according to KPT sources.

But berthing activity was relatively slow owing to delayed arrivals of the foreign flag vessels. As a result, only two container vessels, Khalid Ibn al-Waleed and Dagmar were berthed after the departure of three.

The ships, which departed included Sima Kija, Swat and Yodo Gawa, while Chitral, Dagmar, Kirsten and Iran Sadr are due to sail out on Saturday.

Berth occupancy at the oil piers rose to 67 per cent thanks to steady calling of oil tankers, while it fell to 35 per cent at the dry wharves.

Owing to larger handling of liquid tonnage, the total tonnage rose to 86,861 tons comprising 29,232 tons of export cargo including 19,000 tons of liquid one, and 57,629 tons of imported goods including 3,769 tons of DAP fertilizer and 2,520 tons of rock phosphate.

The following ships are due on Saturday: Hyundai Future, Jamila, Meldkerung and Parvat, with containers.