SRI LANKA's Port of Colombo has welcomed its first mega box ship when Mediterranean Shipping Company's newbuilding, the 16,650 TEU MSC New York, berthed at Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT).
The terminal operator said it aims to attract more ships of this capacity on a regular basis to bring the port closer to realising its goal of becoming a regional hub.
The state-of-the-art facility owned and operated by Hong Kong's China Merchants Holdings International (CMHI) is the only deepwater terminal in South Asia capable of handling the largest vessels afloat, reported Colombo's Daily Financial Times.
"Having completed the construction and equipping of the south harbour container terminal in a record time of 28 months and after being in operation for just over one year, CICT has managed to attract one of the largest vessels afloat," said commercial general manager Tissa Wickramasinghe.
Mr Wickramasinghe said that to compete with other regional hub ports, it is necessary to offer at CICT very high standards of service delivery, productivity and customer service.
"The long-term success of CICT is tied up with the future success of the Port of Colombo," said Mr Wickramasinghe, adding that the terminal will be accessing China Merchants marketing resources to achieve its goals.
On completion of cargo operations at CICT, the MSC New York will have a full load of 14,896 TEU on its maiden voyage.
PORTS
23 November 2014 - 21:52
Port of Colombo handles first 16,000-TEUer - 16,650-TEU MSC New York
SRI LANKA's Port of Colombo has welcomed its first mega box ship when Mediterranean Shipping Company's newbuilding, the 16,650 TEU MSC New York, berthed at Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT).
PORTS
23 November 2014 - 21:52
Port of Colombo handles first 16,000-TEUer - 16,650-TEU MSC New York
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