Cargo Call

Oct 06, 2011 (LBO) - Mediterranean Shipping Company has decided to extend by two years a deal with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority under which it calls at a state-run container terminal in Colombo port. The container shipping line is also interested in investing in new ports being developed in the island, an SLPA statement said.

The move follows talks in Geneva where the shipping line has its headquarters between SLPA's chairman Priyath Wickrama and managing director Capt. Nihal Keppetipola with MSC president Gianluigi Aponte and group vice president Diego Aponte.

"The discussions ranged from current productivity of SLPA, progress of port development projects and most importantly, the potential of the upcoming new ports in India," the statement said.

"MSC has agreed to extend their Terminal Service Agreement with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority for two more years.

"The MSC commenced patronizing Jaya Container Terminal of SLPA in December, 2009 on a weekly basis with more than 1,800 moves per vessel.

The TSA was scheduled to expire on the 31st of December 2011.

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The statement said the shipping line also showed interest in the Colombo Port Expansion Project and the third phase of