Ports development on a fast pace
The shipping industry has recorded 33 percent growth in January, Sri
Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama said. He was
speaking at a seminar on opportunities from port development organized
by the Import Section of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce last week.
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Dr P B Wickrama |
Sri Lanka will act as an active hub in the region with the completion
of port development activities.
The shipping industry recorded continuous growth last year. It
recorded 33 percent growth in January this year.
The Colombo Port handled 4.1 million TEUs last year, a growth of 19.4
percent compared to 16.2 percent growth by Shanghai, 9.9 percent growth
by Singapore and 12 percent growth by HongKong. “The Colombo Port
performed well last year and will continue to perform well this year
too,” he said.
The Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port will be made a free port with
the legalization by gazette notification by next month. The tank farm
will be completed in May and will be commissioned by July.
It is expected to start bunkering this year at a competitive rate to
attract new businesses.
Hambantota will be developed as a well planned port city that
provides services and logistic facilities, Dr Wickrama said.
There are opportunities in the trade and commerce sectors and port
development will facilitate continuous growth momentum.
Sri Lanka played a major role in the world trade in the past and
could re-position itself to regain this situation.
“Port development activities will place Sri Lanka on the world trade
map and the regional shipping industry will play an active role,” he
said.
“We need to plan and be ready with port development activities to
capture growing global trade opportunities. There is a need to complete
infrastructure development projects to enable the establishment of a hub
status. The on going port development projects will be completed fully
by 2020 and the country should attract business in terms of volume and
revenue,” he said.
“Institutional integration is important for better and more
productive output targeting wider market penetration,” he said.
SJ |
