JCT throughput tops 2 m TEUs

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) run Jaya Container Terminal [JCT] has recorded a throughput volume of two million; twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) in a little over eleven months this year. Total TEU handling of two million recorded an increase of 26.5 percent compared to last year.

The SLPA recorded an increase of 7.6 percent compared to the total figure of 1.9 million TEUs, the highest-ever performance rate recorded by SLPA in 2008 before recession hit global trade, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Managing Director Capt Nihal Keppetipola said.

He said this performance was achieved for the first time in its history as a State-run terminal. “SLPA has been performing its above average efficiencies through the past years and has displayed an impressive growth trend. The Colombo Port would also reach the four million TEU mark before the end of the year, which will also be a record.

“Phase One of the Colombo South Harbour which gives an additional 2.4 million TEU capacity will be ready by early 2013 ensuring Sri Lanka the South Asian Container Hub status,” Keppetipola said.

The breakup of this two million TEUs handled by SLPA, includes a 37 percent increase of local import and export TEUs and a 21 percent boost of transshipment TEUs.

The SLPA is in a better position as a state-run terminal compared to the privately-owned South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), which possesses a 16 percent volume increase in the period under review, he said.

The SLPA has attracted about eleven new shipping services to the JCT in the recent past and the mega liners such as APL and MSC are now patronizing SLPA.

The highest-ever monthly volume of 201,217 TEUs was achieved in August with an increase of 22 percent compared to the corresponding year. Meanwhile, the Port of Colombo (including SAGT), handled 360,973 TEUs in August marking a 10 percent improvement.