Maersk to expand container handling operations in Sri Lanka

Senior Director of Maersk (South Asia) A.P. Moller, John Keells Holdings Chairman Krishan Balendra, SAGT CEO Romesh David with President Maithripala Sirisena

Maersk A/S has announced plans to expand container handling operations at the Colombo Port.

The announcement followed talks between Maersk Chief Executive Officer Soren Skou and President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential secretariat on Thursday.
Maersk’s business partner, South Asia getaway Terminal (Pvt) Ltd. (SAGT) is said to be holding discussions with the Ports and Shipping Ministry and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) regarding the expansion of container transshipments in Sri Lanka. 

He said a large segment of transshipments through the Colombo Port is for the Indian subcontinent.

Maersk currently handles 20 percent of the Twenty Foot Equitant Unit containers (TEUs) at the Colombo Port and a big chunk of Sri Lanka’s import and export freight. 

President Sirisena said the government would facilitate multi-national companies such as Maersk to expand container transshipment through the Colombo Port as that would be of an immense boost to the Sri Lankan economy. Senior Director of Maersk (South Asia) A.P. Moller, John Keells Holdings Chairman Krishan Balendra, SAGT CEO Romesh David and Additional Secretary to the President Esala Weerakoon were also present at this discussion.