July 22, 2006	Saturday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 25, 1427

KARACHI, July 21: Shipping activity remained brisk for the second consecutive where four ships carrying containers, coke and edible oil took berths at QICT, Multipurpose Terminal and Iron Ore and Coal Berth during the last 24 hours, said a PQA press release here on Friday.

Departures were fairly brisk where five ships -- four container ships and an oil tanker -- sailed out. Two ships, to load and offload cement and diesel oil, arrived at outer anchorage.

Nine ships -- Bavaria Express, MSC Samia, QIA Al-Fuja'a, Gallant Wave, El-Tango, Alabanda, Stolt Avance, Hau Shan Hai and Elka Vasiliki -- are currently occupying berths to load and offload containers, sugar, canola seeds, edible oil, coke and furnace oil.

A record cargo handling was achieved at the port on Thursday where a cargo volume of 0.121 million tons comprising 0.099 million tons imports and 0.022 million tons exports inclusive of containerised cargo carried in 2,192 containers (TEUs) was handled.

Five ships -- Bavaria Express, MSC Samia, QIA Al-Fuja'a, Gallant Wave and Elka Vasilliki -- sailed out.

Nediloyd Muscat, Precious, Al-Maqwa, Adrekni and Pos Dignity are at the outer anchorage, while MSC Eleonora, Al-Maqwa and Yanaseni are expected to take berths on Friday. Edible oil vessel Cheery Galaxy is due to arrive at the port on Friday, while Kou Chang, Oel Aishwarya, Xiang Wan, Amasis and Al-Mukhtarah, with containers and furnace oil, are due to arrive on Saturday.