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The number of ships entering the Colombo Port and the number of containers handled have shown a remarkable increase during July, the Ministry of port Development and Shipping sources told the Daily News yesterday.

"The average container ship arrivals in July compared from August 2001 to June 2002 have increased by 10.3 percent while a similar growth was reported in conventional vessel arrivals. Overall ship arrivals including ships called for other services such as bunkering and repairs increased by 11.8 percent during the month," a senior Ministry official said. The number of ships arriving at the Colombo Port reduced considerably since August 2001 following the terrorist attack on the Katunayake International Airport. Most shipping lines opted for other ports in the region as the London underwriters imposed an additional War Risk Surcharge on ships arriving at the Colombo Port.

According to Ministry sources the removal of the War Risk Surcharge has enabled shipping lines to use the Colombo Port especially for transhipment.

"In addition the new Minister Rauf Hakeem took measures to increase productivity of the Port especially in handling containers. During the last month the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) handled container ships belonging to leading shipping lines including Maersk Sealand, D.S.R and A.P.L at the rate of 70 containers per hour.

The transhipments increased from 92287 to 114747 during July, which was a 24.3 percent growth," the official said.

He said the increase in the number of containers handled at the Colombo Port has surpassed the expected limits.

The total container throughput of 161,972 TEUs in July 2002 reported an increase of 20 percent when compared with the average monthly handling of the post war risk premium period. According to an analysis on monthly container handling, the total volume handled at the Port of Colombo has been rapidly increasing during the last few months.

The throughput of the last month exceeded the level of average monthly volumes experienced during the pre-war risk surcharge period. (CK)

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