Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Colombo port has seen a big jump in container volumes in recent weeks as vessels steering clear of tensions in the southern Red Sea have found it a convenient transit point, officials said on Tuesday.Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have since November attacked ships in the Red Sea, part of a route that accounts for about 12% of the world’s shipping traffic, in what they say is an effort to support Palestinians in the war with Israel.In response, some shipping companies have instructed vessels to sail around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, a slower and more expensive route.Due to Colombo’s strategic location, stopping at the port gives ships convenient access to the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia, said Lal Weerasinghe, a senior official at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).“When ships come past South Africa, Colombo is the first hub they meet...Singapore is further away.

So this is the easiest port to access,” Weerasinghe said.Port of Colombo is a key port between Africa, the Middle East and East Asia and handled 6.94 million 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) in 2023, a 2% jump for the year, SLPA data showed.

In December, TEUs jumped 15% on year.Over the last four to six weeks, shipping lines requested more berthing windows at the port’s three terminals and transhipment volumes from neighbouring India also grew, two terminal operators said.“We typically handle about 5,000-5,500 TEUs (per day) but since late last year there has been an increase of about 1,000 TEUs per day,” said Weerasinghe.“We were forced to decline requests from about four shipping lines to increase traffic because it would cause delays for existing customers.”As much as 50% of the uptick is from Mediterranean Shipping Company, the leading container shipping company, Weerasinghe added.Shipping companies are also increasingly using Colombo as a relaying port, sometimes offloading their entire cargo to a different ship, he added.Vessel calls have risen at other Colombo port terminals too.“There is a lot of transhipment from India.

We are hoping increased traffic will help Colombo port edge closer to double-digit growth in the first quarter,” said an official from a privately-run terminal.He declined to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media.Source: Reuters -Agencies





Unlimited Portal Access + Monthly Magazine - 12 issues-Publication from Jan 2021


Buy Our Merchandise (Peace Series)

 


Contribute US to Start Broadcasting



It's Voluntary! Take care of your Family, Friends and People around You First and later think about us. Its Fine if you dont wish to contribute and if you wish to contribute then think about the Homeless first and Feed them. We can survive with your wishes too :-). You can Buy our Merchandise too which are of the finest quality.

Debit/Credit/UPI

UPI/Debit/Credit

Paytm


STRIPE


[Sri Lanka] - Sri Lanka, China sign 9 agreements on cooperation


Police open fire at group of robbers; one person dead


[Sri Lanka] - New liver care center of Ragama Teaching Hospital inaugurated


Sri Lanka anticipating private equity deals amounting to $250mn


Indian HC organizes conference to explore potential of digital public infrastructure for Sri Lanka


School education will be revamped by minimizing problem of assessments - President


[Sri Lanka] - Chinese premier holds talks with Sri Lankan PM; explore cooperation in tidy energy and telecom


Heat advisory provided for numerous provinces, districts


[Sri Lanka] - ACC reveals Women s Asia Cup 2024 in Sri Lanka


[Sri Lanka] - Sri Lanka to promote registration of ships under its flag


Court dismisses initial objections raised in Keheliya s misappropriation case


Five-member SC bench to hear petitions challenging Online Safety Act


Major US bridge collapses after being hit by Colombo-bound ship


[Sri Lanka] - CBSL guv discusses why Parate Law suspension bad for credit supply


[Sri Lanka] - Unique security plans for Good Friday and Easter Sunday


National minimum month-to-month wage to be increased by Rs. 5,000


Investigation ordered into assassination attempt on Magistrate Thilina Gamage


Veteran singer Chandra Kumara Kandanarachchi passes away


T-56 firearm reported missing from Wilgamuwa police station


Govt. to provide 10kg of rice to low-income families before Avurudu


Sri Lanka Central Bank further reduces policy rates


UN Security Council demands immediate ceasefire in Gaza after US abstains


Heavy showers anticipated in parts of the island


Sri Lanka s Chief of Defence Staff visits Kenya s Defence HQ


COPA instructs officials to instantly report importation of 102 spoiled fish containers to CID


Govt prioritizing overhaul of school education and exam systems - President


Buddha Sasana Ministry problems declaration over New Year auspicious times


Three injured in luxury bus accident on Kandy-Mahiyanganaya road


Heavy showers above 100mm expected in several areas tomorrow


Ex-President Maithripala leaves CID after tape-recording statement


Appeals Court quashes findings, suggestions of political victimisation commission


HC to deliver order on Keheliya s revision petition seeking bail


UN chief says there is growing consensus to tell Israel that a ceasefire is needed


Nine students hospitalized after clash at private education institute


5 including two students arrested for taking laptop computers from school s wise class


Cost of a cup of milk tea decreased


Sri Lankan PM arrives in China for official visit


Excise revenue up by 38.5% in February 2024


President reveals rapid development plans for overlooked Mahaweli A and B zones


Bandula s US tour cut short for no-confidence vote against Speaker


IMF representatives meet with Sajith Premadasa


Third day of argument on no-confidence motion against Speaker starts


[Sri Lanka] - Sri Lanka to begin speak with restructure bonds next week - report


15 consisting of schoolchildren injured in bus accident in Wellawaya


[Sri Lanka] - 19 suspects straight connected to the underworld arrested so far - Police


Underworld gunman injured in shootout with STF succumbs to injuries


A modification in dominating dry climate condition expected from today


Underworld gunman and STF member injured in shootout at Ganemulla


[Sri Lanka] - COPE assembles under Rohitha s chairmanship amidst string of member resignations


[Sri Lanka] - President Ranil reveals vision for rapid transformation into export economy


Intermittent fasting linked to high risk of cardiovascular death, study reveals


BIA records sharp increase, serving 850,000 travellers this year AASL Chairman


Vietnam s president resigns after just over a year in office


[Sri Lanka] - Update on Sri Lankans in Haiti amidst escalation of violence


33 including FSP s Duminda Nagamuwa and Lahiru Weerasekara arrested during protest


COPF recommends deferment of CBSL salary increase


Tear gas and water cannons fired at protesters in Pettah





68