ICTSI Pakistan launches rail service
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Sun, 28 Jul 2019 16:15:01 +0000
Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT), a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), in cooperation with the state-owned Pakistan Railways, 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.”
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.