July 18, 2006	Tuesday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 21, 1427

KARACHI, July 17: Normal shipping activity was witnessed at Port Qasim where four ships scheduled to load/unload containers, diesel and chemicals were accommodated berths at QICT, Fotco terminal and Engro Vopak terminal, respectively, during the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile three more ships carrying containers, gas, oil and chemicals arrived at the outer anchorage during the period under review.

The berth occupancy was higher on 88 per cent as a total of eight ships currently occupied berths to load/unload containers, rice, cement, edible oil, chemicals, diesel oil and iron ore, respectively, during the last 24 hours.

Cargo handling registered an upward trend at the port on Monday where a cargo volume of 73,905 tons comprising 60,389 tons import cargo and 13,516 export cargo inclusive of containerised cargo carried in 1,522 containers was handled.

Five ships sailed out to the sea during the same period.