KARACHI, May 26, 2023: A container vessel named Crystal St Petersburg on its maiden call docked at the Karachi port in just 21 days on Thursday.
Before the arrival of Russian crude oil, the vessel took berth at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT).
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Faisal Sabzwari, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) chairman Syedain Raza Zaidi and Consul General of Russia Andrey Viktorovich Fedorov welcomed the vessel, a press release issued by the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) stated.
Mr Sabzwari termed the occasion a landmark achievement of the government which has given the trading community to have direct access to Russian markets.
He said that it would open up exports of Pakistani goods to Russia directly, adding similarly, it will also be beneficial to Russia and would entail strong business ties with Russia as well as the Central Asian States.
The first shipment of discounted Russian crude oil is expected to arrive in Pakistan via Oman by small ships in early June.