ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Senator Kamran Michael said that Ministry of Ports and Shipping will introduce a new business venture of high speed food vessel service between Pakistan and Gulf region very soon.
The minister said that more than 95 percent of exports and imports were taking place through ports and shipping but trader of food items including vegetables, fruits and meat which have short shelf life were being carried out by aerial routes.
The minister stated that aerial transportation of per kilogram of meat was costing 90 rupees while transportation charges by high speed ships shall merely be five rupees per kg. More so, he elaborated that high speed ships will navigate with the speed of 25-30 knots from Karachi to Dubai.
He further added that meat would be transported within 30 hours including the time of loading & off-loading while fresh meat has safe shelf life of 9 days. Meat importers of UAE have shown their satisfaction that 7 days would be sufficient for retail sale of meat.
Fruit and vegetables having shorter shelf life will also be exported through these high speed vessels.
The minister said that the new business venture was not only economic and time saving but it would ensure quicker return of payment, and bulk amount of shorter shelf life food items would be transported through high speed vessels.
He added optimistically that the trade of Pakistan would receive huge positive impact with this initiative.
