Category: Shipping and Transport
First STS Operation for Liquid Cargo at Hambantota International Port
Hambantota International Port (HIP) has completed its first commercial ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operation for liquid cargo, marking another major milestone in the port’s expanding capabilities. The operation, carried out in collaboration with Singapore-based company Shipload Maritime to facilitate Laugfs vessel ‘Gas Challenger,’ highlights HIP’s commitment to becoming a key player in liquid cargo handling within […]
JKH records continued growth momentum in Q2
Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) reported continued growth momentum across almost all businesses in the second quarter, a statement showed. The Group revenue in 2Q was up by 20 percent to Rs.76.96 billion with increases across almost all businesses. JKH said the 687-key ‘Cinnamon Life’ hotel, restaurants and banquet facilities commenced operations on […]
‘s Global Competitiveness at Risk: The Economic Cost of Cargo Clearance Delays
Efficient border agency operations are crucial for any economy, especially for island nations like Sri Lanka, where trade significantly contributes to economic growth. Delays in cargo clearance disrupt the flow of goods, increase costs, and undermine the country’s competitiveness in global trade. These delays impose substantial economic costs that adversely affect Sri Lanka’s GDP, leading […]
Glovis Dual Fuel LNG RORO Carrier Docks at Hambantota International Port
The LNG (liquefied natural gas) dual-fuel RORO vessel Glovis Selene made its maiden call at the Hambantota International Port (HIP) last week, unloading 627 CEUs (Car Equivalent Units) and loading 934 CEUs bound for the Persian Gulf. This marks the second time a dual-fuel LNG vessel has docked at HIP, highlighting the port’s capacity to […]
HIP sees 40-pct Increase in RORO transshipment between 2nd and 3rd Quarters
The Hambantota International Port (HIP) has marked a 40 percent increase in RORO vehicles handled between the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2024. From 125,526 units handled in the 2nd quarter the port went up to 175,583 RORO units handled as at the end of September. A contributing factor to this is the increase in […]
CMA CGM applies surcharges on cargo from India, Sri Lanka, Middle East Gulf
French ocean carrier CMA CGM has notified its customers of an Overweight Surcharge (OWS), effective from 1 October 2024 until further notice. The surcharge will apply to shipments originating from India, Sri Lanka, Middle East Gulf & Djibouti, destined for North Europe (incl. Scandinavia, Poland, Baltic), East & West Mediterranean, Adriatic, Black Sea & North […]
Admiral Sirimevan Sarathchandra Ranasinghe (Rtd), new Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority
Admiral Sirimevan Sarathchandra Ranasinghe (Rtd) aasumed duties today (10/03/2024) as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). He was the Commander of the Navy from October 2017 to December 2018. Admiral Ranasinghe also served as the Secretary to Ministry of Ports and Shipping & Southern Development in 2019. He is an Anti-Submarine Warfare Specialist […]
German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs Explores Opportunities at HIP
Tobias Pierlings, Director and Head of Division for South Asia and Southeast Asia at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Berlin and a delegation from the German Embassy in Sri Lanka, visited the Hambantota International Port (HIP) last week. The visit was to explore potential business opportunities in Sri Lanka and […]
Cordelia Cruises to begin 2025 season at HIP in June
Cordelia Cruise Lines completed its second season of calls at the Hambantota International Port (HIP) in September 2024. The scheduled 6 visits between July and September brought in over 5000 tourists to the country. The next season of Cordelia cruises, which will also be 6 calls at HIP, is scheduled to begin in June 2025 […]
Parliament Approves Offshore Banking Regulations At Port City Colombo
Port City Colombo announced that the two gazetted regulations, Offshore Banking and Offshore Banking — Prudent Management and Confidence, were officially passed by the Parliament of Sri Lanka on 4th September 2024. This milestone represents Port City Colombo’s ambitious aim to position itself as a formidable regional financial centre, which would attract an increased inflow […]
MV EVER ARM makes first call at SLPA controlled Colombo East Container Terminal
The container vessel MV EVER ARM made its first call at the Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT) on September 5, 2024. The vessel is part of Evergreen’s fleet, operating on the China-Europe-Mediterranean (CEM) route, sailing under the Taiwanese flag. This call marks a significant milestone for the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), which operates the […]
Exponential increase in vessels arriving at Hambantota International Port for repairs & layups
There has been an exponential increase in the number of vessels arriving at Hambantota International Port (HIP) for repairs and layups this year, marking a significant boost in its operational growth. From January to August 2024, the port hosted 23 vessels for these services, a remarkable 53% increase compared to the 15 vessels during the […]