A vessel carrying 51,000 metric tonnes of imported wheat arrived at Karachi Port on Wednesday, according to the Karachi Port Trust. The geared vessel MV Gokova M was allocated berths 16 and 17 and reached the port at 12:25pm on 28 October, with unloading under way at Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited.
A second vessel, MV Great Rainbow, carrying 59,132.19 metric tonnes of wheat, is expected on 3 November. Together the two ships represent a declared cargo of more than 110,132 metric tonnes. The port authority said the handling shows Karachi Port’s capacity for large bulk cargo and its role in keeping essential imports moving.
The arrivals come as wheat prices have added to food-cost pressure: the State Bank cited elevated energy and wheat prices among the drivers of September inflation of 10.3 percent, and the food security minister has said arrangements could be made to import up to 550,000 tonnes in line with provincial needs. For households, the test will be whether imported supply reaches markets and eases flour prices, not just the port.
Sources: Dawn, Express Tribune (Karachi Port Trust statement). Written in our own words for information only.