Despite large-scale economic losses affecting the island nation, the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA), which administers terminals in Colombo Port, believes there is no actual threat from other subcontinent ports attempting to poach mainlines. Carriers operating Colombo on a daily basis, mostly loading Indian transhipment goods, have experienced significant turnaround and productivity difficulties in recent weeks as a result of fuel shortages that forced vehicles off the port.
“The recent expansions in the major ports around Sri Lanka have made the country ready to accommodate the amplified volumes, which connect Far East to Europe/US cargo along with Indian Subcontinent cargo,” an SLPA official revealed.
despite the prevailing “unfavourable” scenario, Colombo had seen volumes grow in a gradual trajectory in Q1 2022. “POC has shown a growth of 5.7% (combined), while SLPA and CICT terminals have shown growth of 10.4% and 7.3%, respectively.”
