Colombo Port creates history with 5 m TEU mark

For the first time in history the Port of Colombo reaches 5 million container operations today.

To mark the occasion, a ceremony to be held at the Jaya Container Terminal  of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, with the initiative of Minister of Port and Shipping Arjuna Ranathunga. 

With the latest initiatives implemented at  Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), its operational volumes show a rapid growth compared to similar periods during past. 

A number of procedures are being implemented at the Port of Colombo under the guidance of Minister of Port and Shipping Arjuna Ranathunga and under instructions by the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Dammika Ranathunga. 

In comparison to ship arrivals at the Port of Colombo  during the first eleven months of 2015 with the corresponding period in the previous year, the total ship arrivals have increased  from 3,409 to 3,854 by 13.1%.  The number of container ships has also increased  from 2,957 in 2014 to 3,333 in 2015 recording an increase of 12.7%, while conventional cargo vessel arrivals have increased from 25 to 45 by 80.0%. Other cargo ships such as Liquid Bulk and RO-RO have increased from 328 to 359 by 9.5%. 

Similarly, other services such as bunkering, repairs and chandelling  have also increased by 18.2%. 

The Port of Colombo has handled 4,742,652 TEUs(Twenty Foot Equivalent Units)  during the first eleven months of 2015, reflecting an increase of 5.9% compared to the previous year’s corresponding volume 4,480,318 TEUs. Transshipment container including Re-stow throughput which accounts for 76.6% of the total Colombo volume has achieved a growth of 5.1%. The domestic volume has also recorded a fair increase of 8.3%. 

The total cargo tonnage handled in the Port of Colombo during the first eleven months of 2015 has increased to 67,255 thousand tones from previous year’s 64,726 thousand tones reflecting an increase of 3.9%.  A large increase of 96.1% has been reported in Break Bulk cargo handling. Containerized cargo shows an increase of 3.5%.

It is apparent that the latest initiatives have developed increased credibility by vessel operators to use  Colombo as the fastest T/S Hub for In- Out cargo. The new management of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is also in the process of making more operational friendly environs at the Port of Colombo with the accommodation of new  operations machinery and increased terminal facilities.