Foundation Stone Laying Of The First Integrated Container Terminal Port Qasim. (1989-8)

The foundation stone laying for the first modern integrated container terminal at Port Qasim by the Prime Minister, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, on the 5th August, 1989, is indicative of a landmark in the maritime history of Pakistan.
On its operation, within 14 months, the imports and exports of Pakistan will have, for the first time, the benefit of the entire range of savings and advantages which have become associated with container revolution the world over.
The contract was signed between PQA (Port Qasim Authority) and M/s PACTS (Pak Arab Container Terminal Services) in May 1989.
For the seaports, container terminals are not only the source of glory and glamour but also these are an inescapable requirement for today’s sea-borne commerce, where competitiveness in time and cost of transportation of cargo from points of origin to points of destination is the real crux of the matter.
The container terminal represents a breakthrough in the advanced maritime technology which will facilitate the emergence of a number of down-stream industrial and commercial activities, thus creating a substantial number of new job opportunities.
These activities relate to repair and maintenance, insurance, transportation, supply and manufacturing of containers itself.
This is a two berth container terminal through conversion of its existing three multi-purpose berths which have 11 meters permissible draft and vast flush and strengthened areas behind the berths as required by international standards.
With the foundation laying for container terminal at Port Qasim the stage is set for the international shipping to send their mother vessels to Pakistan as well, thus knitting Pakistan into their world-wide net via direct services.
Contributed by Port Qasim Authority.
To commemorate the foundation stone laying of the first integrated container terminal, Port Qasim by the Prime Minister, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan Post Office is issuing one postage stamp of Rs 6 denomination on the August 5, 1989.