Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has issued a statement today to clarify that lockdown in Karachi to curb the spread of Coronavirus has not impacted the operations of port and vessels are arriving and sailing as per scheduled.

Earlier, in accordance with the Government policy and the communication vide Home Department, Government of Sindh, Notification bearing No So (Jud-I)HD/8-1(04)/2020-Corona dated 22-03-2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the lockdown is under implementation throughout the Province of Sindh including Karachi. It is worth mentioning that Port Operations, PNSC and Customs services have been declared as “Essential Services’. The operational activities at Karachi Port Trust, its 03 private Container Terminals and other connected offices, including berthing, loading/ unloading and transportation of essential items including medicines, foodstuff and other commodities through containers etc, have specifically been allowed / facilitated to ensure continuity of supply of essential items all over the Country.

The Port Operations are continuing round the clock on 24×7 basis. During last 24 hours 04 vessels berthed and discharged 2662 TEUs & 80,058 M. Tons dry and liquid cargo. The KPT, Ship Agents, Stevedores, Transporters, KDLB workers & other port users availed the facilitation and in this regard the Provincial Authorities, Law Enforcement Agencies have already been apprised / coordinated by the Port Management to smoothly transact the Port Operations.

The chain of transportation of discharged goods and shipment of export Cargo / containers, essentially require free movement of vehicles approaching from / to Port. Therefore, it is clarified that heavy transport movement is being facilitated for Karachi Port. In this regard, the Control Room has already been established at KPT i.e. Crises Management Cell (CMC) Tel # 021- 99210403-4 on 24×7 basis for redressal of complaints and coordination among all concerned, which may be contacted whenever required, by any of the stakeholders.