Karachi Port Trust achieved a significant operational milestone over the weekend by simultaneously handling two foreign bulk carriers carrying a combined 101,000 tonnes of essential agricultural commodities. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on Sunday that the two vessels—MV ZHONG CHANG 538 and MV GOKOVA M—were berthed at Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose (KGML) and discharged their cargo concurrently .
The first vessel, MV ZHONG CHANG 538, carried 50,000 tonnes of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer and was berthed at Berth 10/11. According to KPT operational data, 48,525 tonnes of the fertilizer had been discharged by the time of the announcement, bringing unloading operations close to completion. The vessel recorded a discharge rate of 5,481 tonnes during the preceding 24 hours .
The second vessel, MV GOKOVA M, arrived with 51,000 tonnes of wheat and was berthed at Berth 16/17. More than 7,200 tonnes had been discharged at the time of reporting, with unloading operations continuing. The wheat cargo is intended to support Pakistan's domestic food supply, while the DAP fertilizer will contribute to agricultural production inputs .
Minister Chaudhry commended KPT engineers, port operators, pilots, terminal operators, dockworkers, and transporters for managing the two vessels and maintaining uninterrupted cargo discharge operations. He emphasized that the timely handling of essential imports was important for supporting agricultural production and ensuring national food security .
The minister stated that the simultaneous handling of the two vessels reflected KPT's operational capacity and its efforts to improve berth utilization, cargo-handling efficiency, and supply chain performance. He noted that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs was pursuing reforms to reduce vessel turnaround times, improve port management, and strengthen maritime infrastructure to facilitate international trade .
KPT Chairman Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed said Karachi Port played a vital role in the country's trade and supply chain network, particularly in facilitating imports of agricultural inputs and essential food commodities. He confirmed that the vessels were given priority berthing on the government's directives, reflecting the strategic importance attached to these cargoes .
The chairman further stated that the port authority was committed to modernizing infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and expanding cargo-handling capacity to support trade and economic activity. He noted that efficient port operations and streamlined logistics were essential for ensuring the timely movement of critical commodities and strengthening supply chains .
For Pakistan, which relies on maritime imports to meet its agricultural and food requirements, the efficient handling of essential cargo at major ports is critical for maintaining supply chains. The arrival of these two vessels and their concurrent discharge demonstrates KPT's ability to manage multiple large consignments simultaneously, a capability that becomes particularly important during periods of seasonal demand for fertilizer and staple food imports .