MSC America, the first container vessel under the business promotion programme to bring new services to the Port of Colombo (POC), arrived on 7 February at the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the major port in Sri Lanka.
MSC America will operate a weekly call to Colombo based on the POC’s renowned repute as a transshipment hub.
The ship brought 1,500 TEUs to Colombo on its first stop on 7 February and is planned to carry 200 TEUs weekly.
The vessel, which is 334 meters in length and has a draft of 7.5 meters, sails under the Panamanian flag. Singapore and South Africa are included in the port rotation.
The most recent programme to attract new shipping lines to the POC was planned and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT), South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA), and Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Owners (SLAVO) to fully handle strategic business promotions as a productive means to overcome the ongoing economic crisis.
“Today, a mega vessel of the MSC has contributed to container operations via the Port of Colombo. Similarly, 04 new services will be added to increase the capacity of the POC. That will increase our revenue. This has further strengthened the credibility placed by the international shipping community on the Port of Colombo,” stated Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation of Sri Lanka.
