Pollution-free ports must for safe navigation: Minister

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Monday said that pollution-free ports are vital for safe and secure navigation, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said that high-quality cleanliness is the need of the hour for the promotion of trade activities at Karachi Port Trust.

He said that during the cleanliness drive, 16,430 kilograms of waste were collected. Junaid Chaudhry said that plastic and swimming waste are a danger to sea life.

Junaid Chaudhry disclosed that 54 boats were used for the cleanliness drive, and 164 personnel performed their duty.

The Maritime Affairs minister said that waste will be disposed of as per the environmental laws. He paid glowing tributes to Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman Admiral Shahid Ahmad for the development and progress of the blue economy.

Earlier on May 3, 2026, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry stated that the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) maintains strong operational momentum with 19 vessels.

In his update, Junaid Chaudhry noted that as of Saturday morning, 14 vessels remained berthed and 7 ships sailed. He detailed expected arrivals, including container ships such as OOCL Nagoya, APL Yangshan, MSC Taylor, Brooklyn Bridge, Ever Urban, and GFS Jade; general cargo vessels like Hemma Bhum, Nupy 5, Hua Chuang 66, Bamsi Beyrek, Blue Sky 4, Selen, Zhong Gu Kun, and Kian; and liquid cargo tankers M.T. Shalimar, Songa Neptune, M.T. Khairpur, M.T. Sargodha, and Lian Gui Hu. 

Meanwhile, the Spirit of Bertram is set to sail. Junaid Chaudhry emphasized KPT’s pivotal role in global supply chains, noting that over the past 24 hours ending on Saturday evening, the port handled 74,603 metric tonnes of cargo. Containerized cargo led at 45,171 tonnes (19,303 tonnes imports, 25,868 tonnes exports), followed by 11,944 tonnes of bulk cargo, 6,114 tonnes of clinker exports, and 10,352 tonnes of liquid cargo.

Reporter: Basim Iftikhar