ISLAMABAD:

Dredging of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) main channel began on Wednesday under an agreement with KGTL, a move expected to upgrade maritime infrastructure and enable the port to handle larger vessels, according to a statement issued by the maritime affairs ministry.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the project would enhance navigational capacity and meet rising demands from international shipping, reflecting efforts to modernise port facilities and strengthen Pakistan’s role in regional and global trade.

He said that upon completion within three months, the dredging would allow KPT to accommodate vessels of up to 350 metres in length with a gross registered tonnage of 100,000, increasing capacity for high-volume cargo movement.

The minister said the initiative would improve port efficiency by enabling the handling of higher-capacity ships, reducing congestion and shortening turnaround times, while supporting smoother logistics operations at the country’s busiest port.

According to the statement, dredging will deepen the upper and lower harbour channels to 14 metres to ensure safer navigation, while 14 berths will be extended to a depth of 15.5 metres to facilitate larger vessels and expand cargo-handling capacity.