KARACHI, Sept 18: Cargo handling activity at the Karachi port on Thursday was fairly active as the total tonnage handled soared to a record 0.131m tons, according to KPT sources.

Unlike the previous days, bulk of the cargo comprised general goods, coal and fertilizer instead of crude or high speed diesel. Export tonnage was modest at 12,961 tons, while import cargo swelled to 0.118m tons.

Berthing activity at the wharves was active where five ships, Cape Henry, Al-Manakh, to unload and load containers, Morning Power, to offload vehicles, Mercs Komari to offload soyabean meal and Al-Barakh to unload steel coils were berthed.

Five vessels including Corin Thiakos, Cape Henry, Manhattan Bridge, Morning Power and Reff Zanzibar departed on Thursday, while Al-Manakh, Kota Wijaya, Pantanassa, Tai He and Flame are due to sail out on Friday.

The following ships are due on Friday: Hermia, with 600 tons of chemicals and Hyundai Highway with containers.