KARACHI, Nov 26: The Port Qasim handled a record volume of 1.03 million tons of wheat over a period of four months. Prompt handling of ships loaded with wheat helped to cope with the wheat shortage across the country.

During wheat handling operations, the port some time handled three ships at a time and provided berths to wheat vessels on a priority basis.

The port during 2006-07 handled a record cargo volume of 26.4 million tons registering a growth of 9 per cent over the previous year.

The PQA handles around 42 per cent of seaborne trade of the country. With increased parameters the port is now in a position to handle container vessels with 11.5-meter draft, 305 meters length and 41-meter beam.

For capacity building nine projects are being implemented by the private sector on B-O-T basis.

With the completion of these projects by 2011-2012, the port’s handling capacity will be increased by 50 million tons showing an increase of 143 per cent of the current capacity.

The PQA is striving for deepening of the navigation channel for an all-weather 14-meter draft to attract major shipping lines to call at the port.