HK's China Merchants opens Colombo International Container Terminal
HONG KONG's China Merchant Holdings International has opened its US$500 million container transshipment terminal in Colombo.
The Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) is 85 per cent owned by China Merchants, which is building it as a transshipment hub for south Asia to compete with Singapore and other regional rivals.
India's lack deepwater ports along its southern tip induces shippers to use Singapore or Dubai for transshipment on Asia-Europe services. Sri Lanka Ports Authority, which holds 15 per cent, said using new facilities will save shippers time and money.
Offering 18 metres alongside, CICT can handle ships in the 14,000-TEU range and has an annual throughput capacity of 2.4 million TEU in its first phase with further expansion expected to double that within a year.
HONG KONG's China Merchant Holdings International has opened its US$500 million container transshipment terminal in Colombo.
The Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) is 85 per cent owned by China Merchants, which is building it as a transshipment hub for south Asia to compete with Singapore and other regional rivals.
India's lack deepwater ports along its southern tip induces shippers to use Singapore or Dubai for transshipment on Asia-Europe services. Sri Lanka Ports Authority, which holds 15 per cent, said using new facilities will save shippers time and money.
Offering 18 metres alongside, CICT can handle ships in the 14,000-TEU range and has an annual throughput capacity of 2.4 million TEU in its first phase with further expansion expected to double that within a year.