KICT was the first international container terminal operator at Karachi Port and is currently the largest operator. Since operations began in November 1998, KICT has since been Pakistan's leading container terminal operator in terms of productivity and efficiency. KICT is also the first container terminal operator in Pakistan to gain compliance with the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code and to follow ISO 9001:2008-certified management practices.
As a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Group, a subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL), KICT enjoys the support and expertise of the world's leading port investor, developer and operator. This support has helped transform KICT into a major container handling facility, capable of augmenting Pakistan's ability to handle expanding container trade. As an organisation that actively invests in the development of modern port infrastructure, HPH is committed to playing a significant role in the development of the economies and the expansion of international trade opportunities for the countries in which it operates. Today, HPH is the world's leading port investor, developer and operator. The HPH network of port operations comprises 308 berths in 51 ports; spanning 25 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. In 2010, the HPH port network handled a combined throughput of 75 million TEU world-wide.
KICT - Terminal Operator of Choice Located on the Arabian Sea, KICT is strategically positioned at the confluence of the world's major shipping routes. It can therefore provide international shipping connections to leading hub ports in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. Additionally, it provides excellent rail and road connections to Pakistan's major up-country industrial and manufacturing zones.
KICT increases its throughput capacity in line with the development of Pakistan's container trade. KICT's close proximity to Pakistan's banking and financial center, ease of access, range of services, 24/7 operations, security and safety, standards of environmental protection, and managerial talent further augments KICT's role as a key conduit for international trade between Pakistan's shippers and a rapidly-changing, knowledge-based world.
Shipping Lines Operating at KICT Shipping lines operating at KICT serve ports around the world with the services spanning the globe. These include APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Yang Ming Line, MOL, OOCL, TS Lines, Hanjin Shipping, STX Pan Ocean, Sinokor, Hapag Lloyd and Samudera Shipping Line Ltd. Other than these, shipping lines using KICT as major slot user are China Shipping, COSCO, KMTC, NYK CMACGM and many other Non Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) operators.
KICT's Facilities
KICT occupies 26.03 hectares comprising three container berths. The total quay length is 973 meters and the depth alongside is 12 meters. KICT has also constructed and enhanced supporting infrastructure and departments, including gatehouse lanes, an in-house engineering department, marine operations and services buildings. KICT is also equipped with a temperature-controlled reefer facility with 528 plugs. The terminal is equipped with seven ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes and two mobile harbour cranes (MHC). The container yard has a total of 23 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGC) with a stacking arrangement of up to 'one-over-six'. In addition, KICT is outfitted with terminal tractors, forklifts, chassis, reach stackers and empty handlers.
KICT Phase III Development KICT has been expanded in three phases, with the latest being the Phase III extension. The Phase III extension of KICT was initiated in collaboration with KPT, and was designed to meet the growing cargo-handling needs of Karachi Port.
The Phase III extension involved deepening the water alongside the quay to 12 meters as well as enhancing handling capacity by redeveloping additional land. Berths 26 and 27 were added to the terminal and were outfitted with additional quayside and container yard equipment.
With the inauguration of the Phase III extension in November 2008, KICT had a total of seven ship-to- shore (STS) gantries, two mobile harbour cranes, 23 RTGCs, eight reach stackers, eight empty container handlers, 53 terminal tractors, 75 chassis, four forklifts and radio data terminals (RDTs) on all terminal equipment.
Application of Leading Technologies at KICT KICT's modern terminal operating system was designed by Navis Corp. EXPRESS database software interfaces with SPARCS graphic vessel and yard software. Real-time communications are maintained through the use of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), fibre optic links and Radio Data Terminal (RDT) dispatches. KICT's interactive website, www.kictl.com, provides online information pertaining to vessel schedules and container status. KICT is also the first container terminal in Pakistan to establish state-of-the-art dual-energy, dual-view container scanner.
KICT - First Terminal to Implement PACCS Today's global economy requires simplified, consistent and reliable customs procedures so that the growing volume of goods destined for overseas markets can be traded in a cost-effective manner, without undue delay. To increase efficiency, KICT became the first container terminal operator in Pakistan to implement the Pakistan Automated Customs Clearance System (PACCS), an automated risk assessment customs clearance process conducted in collaboration with Pakistan Customs under Customs Administrative Reforms (CARE).
This one-stop online operation at KICT, offers a comprehensive solution to the logistics needs of our customers. It reliably accelerates the flow of information and offers a wide range of risk management techniques that enable Pakistan Customs to detect high-risk cargo without impeding the free flow of legitimate trade. This pre-clearance system significantly reduces waiting times and the need for paper-based documentation. On-site customs offices ensure the swift processing of containers and vessels to keep down-time to a bare minimum.
KICT - A Promising Future KICT believes that the implementation of advanced technology along with investments in human capital is the surest way to improve terminal efficiency. It is this belief that has gained KICT the title of "Pakistan's leading container terminal operator". KICT is firmly committed to facilitating the growth of Pakistan's economy, as well as supporting the development of Karachi Port into a major hub for trade and transport in Asia.