Islamabad: A large-scale clean-up operation at Karachi Port has removed over 58,000 kilogrammes of solid waste from harbour waters, part of an initiative launched by the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. The “Cleaner Port, Healthier Marine Ecosystem” initiative aims to reduce marine pollution and safeguard coastal biodiversity.
According to Press Information Department, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has intensified cleaning efforts across key locations such as East Wharf, West Wharf, oil piers, and Boat Basin Jetty. In the first two weeks of May, 159 boat sorties involving 487 personnel collected 58,450 kilogrammes of floating waste, mainly comprised of plastic and marine debris. The waste was subsequently transferred to the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board’s disposal facilities, adhering to environmental protocols.
Minister Chaudhry emphasized the need to view marine waste as a recoverable resource rather than just a pollutant, highlighting the broader push towards a blue circular economy. He suggested that the fisheries and aquaculture sectors could significantly reduce marine plastic leakage through recycling and upcycling initiatives, such as converting used fishing nets into new products and processing fish waste into fertilisers and bio-products. By integrating waste collection into fishing operations and recycling recovered debris, environmental challenges could transform into economic opportunities for small and medium enterprises involved in circular economy models.
He also pointed out that a significant portion of plastic and debris entering the sea comes from urban drainage systems that continuously discharge untreated waste into coastal waters. This poses serious risks to biodiversity, fisheries, and port operations. Chaudhry noted that the economic value of the 58,450 kilogrammes of waste collected could range between USD 7,000 and USD 32,000, depending on material composition and market conditions. He stressed the importance of improved waste segregation at the source and enhanced port recycling infrastructure to maximize environmental and economic benefits.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuous waste removal efforts, which are crucial for protecting marine life, ensuring navigational safety, and maintaining cleaner and more sustainable port environments in the face of increasing urban marine pollution.