Hambantota Port gearing to handle automobile carriers in June
As an effective measure to ease the long berthing delays experienced
by Roll on Roll off vessels at the Port of Colombo, SLPA has decided to
route all such vessels to the Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port
with effect from May 31, 2012 with consultation of shipping lines and
importers.
However some parties have made disparaging remarks with regard to the
above decision resulting in confusion amongst the public. SLPA
emphasises that the ongoing process of handling ships carrying vehicles
at Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port from May 31, 2012 will remain
unchanged.
SLPA says that on completion of all dredging works, the National
Hydrographic Department printed the Navigation Chart for the Magam
Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port which is available for purchase from
their office in Colombo. The British Admiralty has also issued a notice
to mariners regarding the establishment of the port. Hence there is no
veracity in the statement that the port does not meet international
standards. Currently due to non availability of a dedicated automobile
terminal in the Port of Colombo and lack of yard storage areas, Roll on
Roll off vessels have suffered long delays in berthing. This has in turn
resulted in operators increasing freight rates to Colombo, and this
increased freight cost has to be borne by Sri Lankan importers.
Furthermore major Ro-Ro operators could not promote automobile
transshipment business over the Port of Colombo. In 2009 the port
handled 4,973 vehicles as transshipment and in 2010- 2,455 vehicles and
in 2011 only 993 vehicles. This clearly indicates the drop in
transshipment of automobile volumes over Colombo due to the congestion
and non availability of dedicated automobile terminals.
This new move will enable to reduce congestion over Colombo,
introduce a quicker clearance system with Sri Lanka Customs where the
document processing can be done in either Hambantota or Colombo without
any delay, and promote transshipment business with a dedicated
automobile handling terminal facility in Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda
Rajapaksa Port.
In addition to already announced concessions granted to any type of
vessel calling at the Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port (MRMR
Port) by the SLPA, importers of vehicles are being afforded special
concessions. The prompt berthing of vessels, ample secure parking
facilities would assure speedy turnaround of vessels.
With such attractive concessions being afforded, it is expected that
vehicle importers will avail themselves of this facility at Hambantota.
The SLPA is vigorously campaigning to establish the MRMR port as a
preferred transshipment hub for vehicles and attractive incentives are
being afforded to shipping lines to avail themselves of this facility
too. The vast areas available for parking of vehicles will be an added
boost for the transshipment trade. The additional safety and security
precautions there will also result in towards the maximum standards of
reducing damages and pilferage. |