Colombo Port handles 6 millionth TEU

The Port of Colombo reached a major milestone on Friday when it handled its six millionth TEU, a record for South Asia’s hub. 

A special function was held at the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to celebrate the handling of the six million TEU mark. Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe attended as the Chief Guest of the event. 

Speaking at the occasion, the Minister stated that it was commendable to witness the Port of Colombo has achieved great feats through public private collaboration. “Deviating from the traditional competition, Sri Lanka Ports Authority controlled Jaya Container Terminal, privately owned SAGT and CICT together have proven of a success story we can continue to make the Port of Colombo the hub port in the region,” the Minister said. 

He also thanked all officials, staffs and employees of SLPA, SAGT, CICT, shipping agents, freight forwarding agencies and stakeholders who always contributed in numerous ways to elevate the position of the Port of Colombo to higher standards amongst the container ports of the world.

SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake speaking at the occasion stated that it was a historic milestone to Sri Lanka Ports Authority as it was the collective effort of SLPA with the JCT, SAGT and the CICT handling six million containers for a year in the Port of Colombo. “We have to be mindful of the marketing challenges we are expected to face. The commencement of operations of the East Terminal of the Colombo South Harbour in near future will see further increased efficiency in the Port of Colombo to attract more ships at its deep draft berths,” Dr. Dissanayake added.

The Port of Colombo marked the operation of its first TEU in the year of 1973. Accordingly, the constructions of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) controlled Jaya Container Terminal’s stage I was completed in 1985. The completion of the stage ii of the JCT in 1987, stages iii and iv in 1995 and 1996 respectively marked the increase of operation volumes of the Port of Colombo. Commencement of the South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) at the Port of Colombo took place in 1999. In the year 2002, with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) initiated the construction of the Colombo Port Expansion Project (CPEP) which is known as the Colombo South Harbour today. The new harbour was constructed with plans to the ever increasing Ultra Large Container Vessels. Its first terminal known as the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) was completed with the investment of over $ 500 million as a PPP loan and on BOT model. The CICT of Colombo South Harbour came into operations in 2013.

With the rapid development of port infrastructure including the construction of new terminals and the public private partnership in operations at the Port of Colombo, the handling capacity of the Port of Colombo dramatically increased.

The Port of Colombo marked the achievement of handling one million TEUs in the year 1995. Although it took almost nine years to reach the mark of two million TEUs collaboratively with the SAGT in 2004, the Port handled three million TEUs in 2006, four million TEUs in 2010 and 05 million TEUs collaboratively with the CICT in 2015. Together with the latest developments in the Sri Lankan port sector, the six million TEUs mark this year is recorded through aggressive marketing strategies implemented in collaboration with the SAGT, CICT and the public sector controlled JCT to offer a world class service with the maximum customer satisfaction and the minimum vessel turnaround time. Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) being the land lord, regulator and the port operator together with other terminals has been able to attract more Main Lines and Feeder Services to the Port of Colombo in 2017.

With the latest initiatives implemented by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), under the guidance of Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe and under the management led by the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, all sectors of port operation show a rapid growth compared to similar periods during the past. A number of processes are currently being implemented in all commercial ports around the country under the purview of Sri Lanka Ports Authority to realise the vision of the Government to develop Sri Lanka as the premier maritime hub of the region. 

Higher officials of SLPA including the Vice Chairman P.G. Dasanayake, Managing Director H.D.A.S. Premachandra, officials of the SAGT and CICT, officials of shipping lines and agents, officials of freight forwarding agencies and a number of staff members and employees of SLPA and other stake holding institutions attended to grace the event.