Sri Lanka Colombo port, container terminals assure normal services despite crisis

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s container terminal in the Colombo port and a shipping agency asosciation said un-interrupted services were being offered for shipping lines with power and fuel being assured by the authorities.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Colombo International Container Terminals, South Asia Gateway Terminals and the Ceylon Association of Steamer Agents said in a joint statement that operations were carried out as normal.

The group assured global shipping community of operations of container and conventional services, were “carried out uninterrupted and at normal and expected levels in the Port of Colombo, despite the economic and political crisis situation in the country.”

Te port has “received and is assured of an uninterrupted supply of electricity and fuel to maintain the demand required,” the statement said.

Inter-terminal trucking between terminals and transport for logistics services are getting priority for domestic empty and laden containers but no transshipment connections are being missed.

“Clearance of imports and export shipments are moving at desired levels notwithstanding delays in the clearance of some import cargoes due to a shortage of foreign currency,” the statement said.

Port trade unions have also acknowledged :the vital importance of the sector for economic sustenance and revival of the country,” the statement said.

In the first four months of 2022, container volumes grew by 100,356 twenty foot equivalent units or 4.3 percent and transshipment grew 92,099 or 5 percent from a year ago.

Sri Lanka is facing the worst currency crisis in the history of the country’s soft-pegged central bank, which has the worst record in South Asia. It has
(Colombo/May25/2022)