JCT reaches milestone

Dharma SRI ABEYRATHE

For the first time in the container handling history the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of the Colombo Port reached a milestone yesterday by handling two millionth container so far this year.

The historic moment was marked at 9.30 am yesterday by handling a container which was brought into the harbour by APL Sarjah ship. The container handling activities of JCT had commenced in December 1973 by handling a APL container. Annual container handling capacity of Colombo Port has gradually increased in each year. Accordingly in 1980, the Colombo Port was able to handle 40,000 containers annually.

The harbour could increase the container handling volume by 26.5 percent compared to last year’s container handling capacity. Prior to this year, the biggest number container handled was 1.9 million.

In addition the Colombo Port has set a record in August last year by handling the highest number of containers within one month. The amount was 201,217 units.

Compared to the container handling volume in August in the previous year, it was a 22 percent increase. However, the harbour exceeded that target in August this year as it handled 360,973 containers.