Pakistan International Container Terminal
A former Karachi Port container-terminal operator that managed berths 6–9 under a 21-year build–operate–transfer concession.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) was a Pakistani port and logistics company that developed and operated a common-user container terminal at berths 6 to 9 on the East Wharf of Karachi Port. Its operating mandate came from a 21-year build–operate–transfer concession agreed with the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), beginning on 18 June 2002 and ending on 17 June 2023. The concession required PICT to design, finance, construct, operate and ultimately transfer the terminal facilities to KPT. PICT was incorporated in June 2002 by Premier Mercantile Services (PMS), a Karachi-based stevedoring and logistics business established in 1964, with participation from the Port of Hamburg. Commercial operations began in August 2002, only a short time after PICT took control of the site from KPT. In its initial period, the company used equipment already available through PMS before investing in dedicated container-handling infrastructure. The development was supported in part by International Finance Corporation financing, which helped fund quay cranes and other terminal equipment. The first phase was completed in 2004. The terminal served shipping lines, importers, exporters and inland logistics providers by handling containers between vessels and the quay, moving containers within the terminal, providing temporary storage and supporting related cargo-transfer activities. Its physical infrastructure included a quay of approximately 600 metres, a reported design depth of 13.5 metres and a backup area of about 21 hectares. Equipment included ship-to-shore cranes, rubber-tyred gantry cranes and reach stackers. At its reported peak, the terminal handled roughly 600,000 containers annually and had a maximum stated capacity of 750,000 TEUs. PICT became a publicly traded company in 2003 through an initial public offering on the Karachi Stock Exchange. A significant ownership transition took place in 2012, when International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), through ICTSI Mauritius Limited, acquired a 35 percent stake from existing shareholders. PICT subsequently operated as part of the Philippines-based ICTSI group for the remainder of its concession. During this period, it also participated in the development of Pakistan's first dedicated rail-cargo service linking Karachi and Lahore, in cooperation with Pakistan Railways. The final phase of PICT's history centered on the expiry of its concession. In December 2021, the company petitioned the Sindh High Court in an effort to prevent KPT from ending the concession or soliciting a new operator, arguing that it should receive a right of first refusal. The court rejected the petition in March 2023. Pakistan's Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions subsequently endorsed the decision to return the terminal to KPT when the concession expired. PICT's agreement ended on 17 June 2023, and KPT took possession of the premises on 18 June. On 22 June 2023, KPT entered into a new 50-year concession with Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited, a joint venture associated with AD Ports Group and Kaheel Terminals. The same berths therefore continued operating as a container facility, but no longer under the PICT brand or concession.
History
Pakistan International Container Terminal was created in June 2002 to develop a modern container facility on Karachi Port's East Wharf. Its founding sponsor was Premier Mercantile Services, a Karachi stevedoring and logistics company operating since 1964, working with the Port of Hamburg. Under an implementation agreement with Karachi Port Trust, PICT received a 21-year build–operate–transfer concession covering the design, construction, operation and eventual transfer of berths 6 through 9. The company began commercial operations in August 2002, shortly after taking over the site from KPT. It initially relied on equipment already available through PMS, then expanded its dedicated infrastructure with equipment financing that included support from the International Finance Corporation. The first phase of the terminal was completed in 2004. PICT was listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange in 2003, giving the project a public-market ownership structure during its early development. PICT's facilities consisted of a roughly 600-metre quay, a reported 13.5-metre design depth and about 21 hectares of supporting yard space. Its operating equipment included ship-to-shore cranes, rubber-tyred gantry cranes and reach stackers. The company provided vessel and quay operations, container-yard handling, storage and related cargo-transfer services for international and domestic trade. At its reported peak, the terminal handled around 600,000 containers per year and had a maximum stated capacity of 750,000 TEUs. It also worked with Pakistan Railways on a dedicated rail-cargo connection between Karachi and Lahore. Ownership changed materially in 2012. International Container Terminal Services, the Philippines-based port operator, used its subsidiary ICTSI Mauritius Limited to acquire a 35 percent interest in PICT from existing shareholders. From that point until the end of the concession, PICT operated as an ICTSI group subsidiary. The company remained focused on the Karachi terminal rather than developing a separately documented international network under its own brand. The company's final years were dominated by the question of whether it could continue operating after the contractual term. In December 2021, PICT brought proceedings before the Sindh High Court seeking to stop KPT from terminating the concession or soliciting a new operator. PICT argued that, as incumbent operator, it should receive a right of first refusal. The court rejected the petition in March 2023. In June 2023, Pakistan's Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions endorsed the maritime ministry's position that the facility should return to KPT at the end of the concession. The concession expired on 17 June 2023, and KPT took over the premises on 18 June. On 22 June, KPT signed a new 50-year concession for the same berths with Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited, a joint venture associated with AD Ports Group and Kaheel Terminals. Consequently, the physical terminal continued as a port asset, but PICT ceased to be the operator under its original concession and is treated as a defunct brand and operating entity in this dossier.
- 2023
Concession ended
[1]The original 21-year concession expired, KPT took back the terminal premises, and a new operator was subsequently appointed for the same berths.
- 2012
ICTSI acquired a minority stake
[1]ICTSI Mauritius Limited acquired a 35 percent interest in PICT, bringing the company into the International Container Terminal Services group.
- 2004
First terminal phase completed
[1]The first phase of the Karachi container-terminal project was completed.
- 2003
Public listing
[1]PICT completed an initial public offering and became listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange.
- 2002
PICT incorporated and concession signed
[1]Premier Mercantile Services and the Port of Hamburg established PICT, and the company entered into a 21-year implementation agreement with Karachi Port Trust for berths 6–9 at Karachi Port.
- 2002
Commercial operations began
[1]PICT commenced commercial container-terminal operations in August, shortly after taking over the East Wharf site from KPT.
Products and positioning
A major Pakistani common-user container-terminal operator focused on marine container handling, yard operations and port-linked logistics at Karachi Port.
Container terminal operations · 2002
Karachi Port East Wharf container terminal
PICT's principal and effectively sole operating asset was the common-user terminal at berths 6–9 on Karachi Port's East Wharf. The facility handled containers between vessels and shore, moved boxes through its yard, provided temporary storage and supported associated port logistics. Its reported infrastructure included a 600-metre quay, approximately 21 hectares of backup area, ship-to-shore cranes, rubber-tyred gantry cranes and reach stackers.
Intermodal logistics
Rail-linked container cargo service
PICT installed Pakistan's first dedicated rail cargo service connecting Karachi and Lahore in cooperation with Pakistan Railways. The service extended the terminal's role beyond quay and yard handling by providing a rail-linked route for moving containerized cargo between the port and an inland commercial center.
Brand decisions
2023
Return of the terminal to Karachi Port TrustOtherBackground
PICT's build–operate–transfer agreement with KPT was scheduled to end after 21 years on 17 June 2023.
Action taken
KPT took possession of the premises on 18 June 2023 after the concession expired.
Aftermath
KPT awarded a new 50-year concession for the same berths to Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited, ending PICT's operation of the facility.
2021
Challenge to the concession termination processStrategyBackground
As the expiry of its 21-year concession approached, PICT sought to preserve its operating position at Karachi Port and argued that it should receive a right of first refusal as incumbent operator.
Action taken
PICT filed a petition in the Sindh High Court seeking to prevent KPT from terminating the existing concession or inviting bids for a replacement contract.
Aftermath
The petition was rejected in March 2023, and the concession expired in June 2023.
Sources1 sources
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