Colombo Port:

Container handling up in first half

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

There is a significant growth in container (TEUs) handling in Colombo port during fist six months of this year.

There has been a growth in the volumes by 25 percent for the first six months compared to the corresponding period last year.

“However, we need to compare the 2008 performance as the industry did not perform well last year. The growth recorded in 2008 was 15 percent, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Managing Director Capt. Nihal Keppetipola told Daily News Business.

The Colombo Port will be able to handle a capacity of 5.5 million TEUs when its development work is completed.

A fully computerized system will be in place for improved efficiency coupled with the Oracle financial package to facilitate online transactions.

The Colombo Port has also secured the 31st place in the world port ranking index. The country attracted seven new services to the Colombo Port during last year and the shipping industry is optimistic of a better performance this year.

The port city development project which is carried out simultaneously with the Colombo Port development project will enable rail road connectivity. It will also provide facilities such as multi-country consolidation, ware housing, bunkering and Customs inspection.

“These port development activities including other ports in the country will help Sri Lanka to emerge as a logistics hub in the region,” Capt. Keppetipola said.