Vehicle transshipments at Colombo Port record higher growth

Vehicles carried in small vessels from India unloaded at Port of Colombo

COLOMBO: The Port of Colombo has gained high recognition during the first three months of this year in transshipment of vehicles manufactured in India to other countries.

The Port of Colombo is used as the transshipment hub for vehicles manufactured in Maruti and Tata companies in India which are exported to South Africa, Ghana, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Malta and Alexandria. Vehicles carried in small vessels from Mumbai in India are unloaded at the Port of Colombo and transhipped to other countries in huge vehicle carrier vessels.

In 2006, the Port of Colombo and India have transshipped 3,018 vehicles. From January 1 to April 14 this year, the combination has transshipped 2,357 vehicles.

Meanwhile, on April 20 another 886 vehicles and 117 vehicles were transhipped via vehicle carriers Bellong and Sagaterious Leader.

The security and efficient services offered by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority in transshipment of vehicles have also gained higher recognition of agent institutions involved in vehicle transshipments enabling an increasing number of vehicle transshipments at the Port.

This has also contributed towards the growth of revenues of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, a release said.