Govt. confirms only one container bound for Colombo from Baltimore port

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva 

• Says rest of containers were intended for re-exports
• Affirms vessel’s final destination was China
• Highlights necessity of handling classified goods in international trade and logistics 

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva verified yesterday that out of the 57 containers onboard; only one was destined for Colombo.

“I have inquired from the Maersk shipping line and they confirmed that there were 57 containers with toxic materials that can be categorised under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. But only one box was bound for Colombo and the rest were for re-exports,” he told journalists.

Addressing misinformation circulating in the media, the Minister criticised individuals lacking proper knowledge of the situation. He highlighted that the vessel’s final destination was China, a detail he claimed was overlooked in media coverage. 

The Minister also underscored the necessity of handling classified goods, such as flammables and hazardous materials, in international trade and logistics. “Goods falling under classifications 1-9 require special approval from the Ministry of Defence and under the current law we have been doing that without any issue,” he said.

Regarding cargo declaration procedures, the Minister clarified that containers’ contents must be declared 72 hours or three days before arrival at the Colombo Port. “However, given the negative publicity surrounding the incident, authorities sought additional details from the shipping line,” he added. 

“We still do not know what exactly what is in that one container bound for Colombo. We would only know when the vessel entered the Indian Ocean. But now the ship won’t come as per the scheduled date,” he said.

The Singapore-flagged container ship Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on 26 March. The cargo ship, measuring 984 feet in length, was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pic by RuwanWalpola