The absence of appropriate container transport vehicles to bring containers within and move them out is causing the Colombo Port to become increasingly congested. This is expected to exacerbate the situation for shipping companies that will avoid Colombo in order to avoid delays. Due to the paucity of fuel in the local market, container transporters have increased their charges by 60% and limited the number of vehicles that drive even inside the Western Province to 35%, according to Container Transport Association President Sanath K. Manjula. These vehicles are the only way to transport containers between the port’s terminals and to transport cargo to and from the port.
He stated that they have not been given any priority in obtaining fuel, and as a result, they are forced to wait in long lines for up to two days at a time. In the last month and a half, there had been delays in inter terminal trucking, or the movement of containers between ports. However, with fewer container transport vehicles on the road, the situation has worsened to the point where some containers have failed to load onto their connected vessels. Missing connections in this manner is a big worry, according to industry experts, who add that not putting cargo into vessels especially at a time when ships are completely loaded means they are missing a chance.
