THE Port of colombo has enjoyed a big jump in container volumes in recent weeks as vessels steering clear of Red Sea rocket attacks have found it a convenient transit point, Reuters reports.
Due to Colombo's location, stopping at the port gives ships convenient access to the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia, said Lal Weerasinghe, a senior official at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
'When ships come past South Africa, Colombo is the first hub they meet, Singapore is further away. So this is the easiest port to access,' Mr Weerasinghe said.
The Port of Colombo is a key port between Africa, the Middle East and East Asia and handled 6.94 million TEU in 2023, a two per cent jump for the year, SLPA data showed.
In December, container volume jumped 15 per cent year-on-year and of the last four to six weeks, shipping lines requested more berthing windows at the port's three terminals and transshipment volumes from neighbouring India also grew, two terminal operators said.
'We typically handle about 5,000-5,500 TEU a day, but since late last year there has been an increase of about 1,000 TEU per day,' said Mr Weerasinghe.
'There is a lot of transshipment from India. We are hoping increased traffic will help Colombo port edge closer to double-digit growth in the first quarter,' said an official from a privately-run terminal.
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Due to Colombo's location, stopping at the port gives ships convenient access to the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia, said Lal Weerasinghe, a senior official at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
'When ships come past South Africa, Colombo is the first hub they meet, Singapore is further away. So this is the easiest port to access,' Mr Weerasinghe said.
The Port of Colombo is a key port between Africa, the Middle East and East Asia and handled 6.94 million TEU in 2023, a two per cent jump for the year, SLPA data showed.
In December, container volume jumped 15 per cent year-on-year and of the last four to six weeks, shipping lines requested more berthing windows at the port's three terminals and transshipment volumes from neighbouring India also grew, two terminal operators said.
'We typically handle about 5,000-5,500 TEU a day, but since late last year there has been an increase of about 1,000 TEU per day,' said Mr Weerasinghe.
'There is a lot of transshipment from India. We are hoping increased traffic will help Colombo port edge closer to double-digit growth in the first quarter,' said an official from a privately-run terminal.
SeaNews Turkey
