Port Qasim

Port Qasim (Urdu: بندر گاہ محمد بن قاسم Bandara gāh muham'mad ban qāsim), also known as Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, is a seaport in Karachi, Pakistan, on the coastline of the Arabian Sea. It is Pakistan's second busiest port, handling about 35% of the nation's cargo (17 million tons per annum).

Background
Port Qasim and Karachi Port, the busiest port of country, together handle more than 90% of all external trade of Pakistan.

The port encompasses a total area of 12,000 acres (49 km2) wherein many industrial zones operate. In addition to the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and KESC Bin Qasim Power Plant, around 80% of the Pakistan's automotive industry is located at Port Qasim. The port also provides direct waterfront access to two major nearby industrial areas, Export Processing Zone (Landhi) and Korangi Industrial Area. Approximately 60% of country's export and import is originated from these areas. Port Qasim is managed by Port Qasim Authority, a semi-autonomous government body.

The major cargo groups include iron ore, edible oils, containers, coal, rice, jute, and grain.

Location
Port Qasim is located, adjacent to the Bin Qasim town, in the southern part of Malir district, Karachi division, in Sindh. It is located in an old channel of the Indus River at a distance of 35 kilometers east of Karachi city center.

The geographic position of the Port Qasim places it in close proximity to major shipping routes. The approach to the port is along a 45-kilometre long Navigation Channel which provides safe navigation for vessels up to 75,000 metric tons deadweight (DWT).

Location of the Port Qasim makes it very well connected to the transportation infrastructure of the country. It is at distance of only 15 km from the national highway, providing direct access to the hinterland through road. A further 14 km of railway track inside the terminal links it to the national railway network through 6 railway tracks. Jinnah International Airport is also very near, at a distance of 22 km.

Port Qasim's residential area is a neighborhood of Bin Qasim Town of Karachi.

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Global use and production of coal
 * Coal exports
 * Coal terminals
 * Coal reserves

External resources

 * International Energy Agency, "Coal in Pakistan in 2006", International Energy Agency website, accessed August 2009.
 * U.S. Geological Survey, "The Mineral Industry of Pakistan", reports 1994-2007.
 * Chin S. Kuo, "The Mineral Industry of Pakistan: 2007, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, April 2009.

External Articles

 * "Thar coal reserves can turn around Pakistani fortunes," Steel Guru, 2/5/09.
 * "Sindh: UAE, Korea to set up 1,000 MW coal power plant", Pakistan Realog, July 22, 2009.
 * "Thar Coal Project", Industry & Economy'', undated, accessed May 2010.