Seaborne exports up by 6% in 2004

THE seaborne export volume from Sri Lanka for 2004 climbed by 6% to the equivalent of 2003. Considering the larger commodity groups, garment exports dominated the scene with a growth of 3% which will contribute to the industrial export earnings of the country.

Tea shipments became second, volume wise although it is minus percentage of 2% when compared with 2003.

In Fibre, Desiccated Coconut and Coir Fibre finished product exports too there was a growth of 25%, 25% and 3% respectively whilst rubber and cinnamon shipments indicated a drop by nearly 3% and 9% as against the previous year.

In addition a report from Central Freight Bureau revealed the ten most dynamic destinations whilst Southampton in UK, Eire has become the first position in exported out from Sri Lanka during 2004.

Other positive influences include Tuticorin in India, New York in US Atlantic, Kotka in Finland, Rotterdam in Netherlands, Chennai in India, Hamburg in Germany, Los Angeles in US Canada Pacific and Antwerp in Belgium.

In certain non-traditional sectors of the export of Sri Lanka this already seems to be a looming reality like tyres and tubes, coir fibre dust, rubber gloves solid rubber tyres, cloth hangers, copper/steel/metal/iron/scrap, brooms and brushes and coco peat the report revealed.

The number of vessels deployed to carry export for September, October, November and December were, 240,245,230 and 257 respectively.

The availability of Shipping opportunities for September, October, November and December 2004 were, 1235, 1235, 1085 and 1185 as opposed to 1312, 1222, 1300 and 1342 respectively in the year 2003.