ICTSI Pakistan launches rail service; New service to enhance customer relations
Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT), a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), in cooperation with the state-owned Pakistan Railways, recently successfully launched a dedicated rail cargo service connecting the cities of Karachi and Lahore.
The cargo rail service hopes to move goods faster and at a significantly lower cost to upcountry markets, benefiting major industries of the country, such as agriculture, textile, fertilizer, sports goods, electronics and FMCG producers to move.
As the only terminal at the Port of Karachi with internal rail connection, PICT enjoys a competitive edge in local market, and expects to improve its global competitiveness with this new feature.
Khurram Khan, PICT chief executive officers, says “PICT hopes to be the container terminal of choice for trade at the Karachi Port. Our leadership strives to implement initiatives that provide customer-centric solutions in line with the Government’s strategic plans. This rail service provides us with more efficiency and flexibility. As an alternative, rail transport, this reduces the cost of doing business for clients. At the same time, this helps alleviate congestion on the city roads. We thank and congratulate all the parties involved in making this possible.”
Khan adds: “We foresee increased large volumes in Pakistan’s foreign trade, and we are committed to address this increasing our capability to provide end-to-end logistics solutions for our customers.”
PICT has been ceaselessly adding value to the business of the terminal industry in Pakistan, playing a key role in uplifting the economy of the country with a focused and determined approach of providing value added services.
Present at the launch of rail service were Pakistan Railways Federal Minister Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad, together with officials of the Karachi Port Trust and Pakistan Customs.
They witnessed the first freight train leave PICT to transfer containers to Lahore.
The first train of the Karachi-Lahore service depart from PICT.
About PICT
In October 2012, ICTSI completed the acquisition of a majority shareholding in Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT), which holds a 21-year concession for the construction, development, operations and management of a common user container terminal at Karachi Port for a period of 21 years, commencing 2002. (www.pict.com.pk)
About International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI)
Headquartered and established in 1988 in Manila, Philippines, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is in the business of port development, management and operations. As an independent business with no shipping, logistics or consignee-related interests, ICTSI works and transacts transparently with any stakeholder in the port community. ICTSI’s portfolio of terminals and projects spans developed and emerging market economies in the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and Europe, the Middle East and Africa. ICTSI has received global acclaim for its public-private partnerships with governments divesting of their port assets to the private sector. (www.ictsi.com)