IN THIS POST:
– About Karachi Port Trust
– Role of Karachi Port Trust
– Projects of Karachi Port Trust
– The Karachi Port Trust Building
Karachi’s strategic location in the south of Pakistan, next to the Arabian Sea, which connects it to the Indian Ocean, has always been the hub of trade, with seafaring vessels bringing in all kinds of imported cargo and departing with locally produced exports. However, the Port of Karachi has been under the administration of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) since the authority’s inception in the late 1800s. Let’s learn more about the history of KPT, its role in shipping and trading, and also about the iconic landmark where the KPT has its headquarters.
About Karachi Port Trust
Established in 1886, the Karachi Port Trust is an agency under the federal government, reporting to the Secretary of Maritime Affairs. The agency became functional a year later in 1887 and was given authority over Karachi Harbour to develop the Port of Karachi, which is now Pakistan’s busiest seaport.
Historically, the port had been under the administration of the Karachi Harbour Board from 1880 until the KPT’s establishment in 1886. The agency has been monitoring and servicing the port since then, proudly crossing the mark of 133 years in service in 2020.
The port itself is a natural harbour, with an approach channel, and two wharves – the East Wharf and the West Wharf. Both wharves are home to a container terminal. The Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) at West Wharf was established in 1996 and the Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) at East Wharf was built in 2002. The KPT also has three oil terminals near the port.
Role of Karachi Port Trust
The Karachi Port Trust oversees all activities related to the port, including trading, shipments, infrastructural developments, and more. It offers a range of shipping services, as well as providing various facilities to its employees and the general public with the completion of several milestone projects.
Some of the major services offered by KPT include:
- A Port Security Force (PSF) that allows for a safer environment, where trades can be conducted with ease
- A Video Management System (VMS) that ensures that the port is under surveillance at all times, tracking ships, identifying them as needed, monitoring cargo movements, and keeping a record of all ships and cargo movements for reference
- A Vessel Tracking System (VTS) that can monitor all vessels in the harbour and the surrounding waters to ensure safe passage to ships carrying valuable cargo and offering emergency response services as required
- The Karachi Port Operation Centre (KPOC) which acts as the central command centre and oversees all operations on the port
- Container terminals, KICT and PICT, as well as oil terminals with advanced facilities and machinery
- Shipping and cargo services with the ability to handle cargo storage in bulk
Aside from the above services, KPT owns a bungalow at Manora Island where employees get to enjoy a fun-filled day in the sun, while the KPT Sports Complex offers employees a chance to play cricket, badminton, hockey, football, and a range of other sports. KPT also provides fully equipped beach huts to its employees on Sandspit Beach for picnics.
The agency also trains its staff via its Training & Education Department that was established in 1979 along with the KPT Staff College to develop the managerial skills needed for different roles within the organisation.
Major Projects of Karachi Port Trust
Some of the biggest achievements and projects of KPT include:
- Being awarded the Gold medal for International Association of Ports and Harbours’ (IAPH) IT Award in 2005
- The completion and launch of the World’s Second Tallest Fountain at about 660 feet in Karachi Harbour in January 2006
- The inauguration of the Nursing Aide Training Programme at KPT Hospital in February 2010
- The berthing and unloading of the largest vessel in KPT’s history in March 2010
- The establishment of the Port Grand food street on Native Jetty Bridge in May 2011
- The construction of the KPT Desalination Plant on Manora Island in January 2012
About the Karachi Port Trust Building
The Karachi Port Trust is headquartered in a colonial-era landmark near Kemari. The building is commonly known as the KPT Building and was inaugurated in 1916 after its construction was completed in 1915.
The design of the building is an amalgamation of Hindu and British architecture with Roman influences brought to the subcontinent by George Wittet – a Scottish architect who designed the structure and mostly worked in Bombay (now Mumbai) in India in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Gateway of India and the Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai have also been designed by Witter in the 1920s.
Spanning nearly 1,700 square yards, this massive landmark is located in Kharadar on Nawab Mahabat Khanji Road next to the Imperial Custom House that was built between 1914 and 1917. It is located opposite another iconic landmark called Qamar House (renamed as EFU House since 2002), which was built in 1945 by Qamardin Mahomed Hashwani, and held the honour of being the tallest building in Karachi until the completion of the Habib Bank Plaza in 1968.
The landmark is impressive not just due to its architectural features, but also because of the distinctively yellow coloured façade made of stone. Although the building is only home to two floors, the high ceilings and spacious rooms make it stand taller than other two-storey structures. The central curved dome on top is inspired by Roman architecture and houses the Board Room on the second floor where all the important meetings are held by the Board of Trustees. The second floor is also home to a Conference Room and a Records Room that contains all of the original records from the late 1800s to date.
Now you know all about KPT and its historic headquarters along with the role the organisation plays in monitoring port activities. Keep reading Zameen Blog for more informative posts. You can also send us your feedback on our blogs at blog@zameen.com.
