KARACHI, Nov 21: The Karachi Port handled 12.94 million tons or 12.72 per cent more cargo during the first four months of the current fiscal year (2008-09), compared to 11.48 million tons handled during the corresponding period of last year.

According to official figures, there was a substantial increase in the number of vessels called at the port during the period under review.

A total of 735 ships were handled during July-October as against 652 ships handled in the same period last year, showing an increase of 12.73 per cent in ship handling.

Similarly, container handling also increased from 374,653 TEUs to 413,384 TEUs, showing an increase of 10 per cent as compared to the corresponding period of last year. This means that daily cargo handing (import and export) increased to 105,209 tons during July-October period of the current fiscal year from 101,620 tons of the corresponding period of last year.

The Karachi Port handled 37.2 million tons cargo during the last fiscal year (2007-08) compared to 27.7million tons handled by Port Qasim.

However, when performance of both the ports is compared with regional ports, it is pathetic and it could easily be stated that they are victim of lethargy and inefficiency, ports and shipping experts said.