ECT unlikely to be operational in 2025

The Colombo Port East Container Terminal (ECT) is unlikely to get underway despite government assurances to operationalise the terminal by July. Amid repeated requests from shipping lines, ships’ agents, to improve the services at the port, the key element is the inter-terminal trucking between terminals which is causing delays during peak periods.

According to sources, there are about 30,000 containers to be transferred between terminals and if this should cause delays ships are not wanting to waste time and they will move out as it would be a big cost to the lines.

Currently they are in discussion with the Minister and the authorities at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) on attempts to ease the congestion. The road leading to the container yard needs to be fixed as it is in a dilapidated state and the turnaround time has moved to less than 20 moves per hour whereas the ideal time should be 30 moves per hour. The ECT on track is vital to ensuring that the shipping lines can bring in more volumes to the port.

If the Colombo Port delays the commissioning of the terminals, then shipping lines might move to other Southern Indian ports like Vizhinjam operated by the Adani Ports that is managing the West Container International Terminal (WCIT).

The East Terminal that was set to become operational by mid this year was again delayed due to lack of certain equipment and tenders for which already awarded had been cancelled by the present administration.

The terminal requires the use of straddle carriers that can be used to ply containers between the quay and the yard for which tenders had been called for and awarded for the purchase of twin lift straddle carriers that can accommodate two TEUs at the same time.

Experts opine that the use of prime movers is unlikely to help in the operation of the terminal and straddle carriers are needed without which it might become a “nightmare.” At present it is learnt that the authorities are working on the purchase of prime movers or anything else, less costly that could be purchased to carry out the work of the straddle carriers, sources said. It is learnt that straddle carriers again tendered and ordered it would take up to 14 months to be manufactured and shipped to Colombo.