August 19, 2006	Saturday	Rajab 23, 1427

KARACHI, Aug 17: Brisk shipping activity was witnessed at the port where four ships scheduled to load/offload containers, cement, edible oil and furnace oil were accommodated on berths at QICT, MPT and Fotco oil terminal, respectively, during the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, five more ships carrying containers, cement, and sugar arrived at the outer anchorage, says a PQA press release.Berth occupancy remained at 80 per cent for the second consecutive day at the port where a total of 8 ships CV CMA CGM Kingston, CV Mega-1, MV Adrekni, MV Multan, MV Ikan Selar, MT Destiny, MT Splendour and MV Dixie Monarch were occupying berths to load/unload containers, cement, edible oil, furnace oil and coke, respectively, during the report period.

The port handled 70,068 tons of cargo comprising 59,260 tons of imports and 10,808 tons of exports inclusive of containerised cargo carried in 2,011 containers (Teus).

Container vessel Mega-1 was expected to sail on Friday. Two ships CV MSC Natalia and MV Hellenic Breeze were expected to take berths at QICT and IO&C berth, respectively. Four more ships with containers and chemicals are due to arrive on Saturday.