October 10, 2006	Tuesday	Ramazan 16, 1427

KARACHI, Oct 9: Shipping activity remained active at the port where three ships schedule to load and offload containers and cement took berths at QICT and Multi Purpose Terminal during the last 24 hours, said a PQA press release here on Monday.

Departures were also fairly okay where two bulk cargo carriers and one oil tanker sailed, while two more ships with containers and chemicals also arrived at the outer anchorage during the last 24 hours.

Berth occupancy was maintained at 70 per cent at the port where a total of seven ships -- MOL Accord, MSC Brianna, Aqua Star, Olympic, Rich Duchess, Sea Master and Caravos Trader -- are currently occupying berths to load and offload containers, cement, edible oil, furnace oil, sugar and seeds.

Cargo handling operations were carried out efficiently at 76,987 tons comprising 56,438 tons imports and 20,549 tons exports inclusive of containerised cargo carried in 2,148 containers (TEUs).

Three ships, Chitral, Rich Duchess and Sea Master, sailed out, while DD Master, Warbah, Xiang Wan, Sargodha and Suzanne are currently at the outer anchorage.

MOL Accord and MSC Brianna are expected to sail on Monday, while Sealand Endurance, Xiang Wan, Suzanne, Arbah and Sargodha are expected to take berth at the port on same day. Two ships, CSAV Ningbo and Capt George, are due to arrive on Monday, while Advantage and Southern Imperial are due to arrive on Tuesday.