The Association of Container Transporters (ACT) President Roshan Manikwaduge told Daily FT that they have decided to increase charges by 20% from yesterday following the fuel hike announced on Monday. 

“We have a rate book, and the price hike was planned for 2022. As we did not increase our prices for the past five years, and due to increase in all spare part costs, we decided to up our charges by 20%,” he explained.

According to him, tyre prices have increased by 35%, batteries by 45% and other spare parts by 20%. He also said that it has become challenging to find spare parts necessary following the restrictions on vehicle importation.

Manikwaduge also said that the increase in the port permit cost has put around 5% of the stakeholders out of business.

“The ‘Yahapalana’ Government increased the port permit by 2,500%, and it impacted the overheads of our members sharply putting a large number of firms out of business. This Government promised to reduce the port permit fee, but then COVID-hit the economy,” he added.

On average, ACT member companies move around 4,000 containers daily and provide direct employment to over 20,000 people. 

 

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