KARACHI, May 7: Seven ships, including a rice loader Victoria, to load 4,200 tons of rice, are expected to arrive at the outer anchorage on Thursday, according to KPT sources.

After several lean days owing to lesser handling of liquid cargo, the total tonnage rose to a respectable level of 76,324 tons comprising 10,456 tons of export cargo and 65,868 tons of import tonnage, notably oils.

Four ships Sinar Bangka, Gao He and APL Portugal, to unload and load containers, and Babur Kaptan to load ethanol were berthed after the departure of two.

X-Press Kailash and Hermia departed on Wednesday while Al-Cyonida, APL Portugal, Babur Kaptan, Hyundai Advance and Gao He are due to sail out on Thursday.

The following ships are due on Thursday: Argonaut, Mar Challenger and Sima Bahar, with containers; Champion Express to load 28,500 tons of molasses, Gulf Lion with 25,000 tons of oils, Victoria to load rice and Chitral with general cargo.