Shipping industry and terminal operators assure uninterrupted operations

Sri Lanka’s shipping and container operations are moving forwards with minimal impact to business activities, despite the fuel shortages and power cuts, the stakeholders of the shipping industry said. 

While almost all business operations in the country are fast coming to a standstill, due to the shortage of fuel and power, the shipping industry and container operators assured that efforts are being taken to allow the movement of goods with no hindrance.  

The assurance was given to the business community via a joint statement to the media yesterday. 
The management of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), terminals Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd (CICT), South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt.) Ltd (SAGT) together with the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) affirmed that global shipping lines and operators of container and conventional services are carrying out operations in an uninterrupted manner, at normal and expected levels.

“The Port of Colombo (POC), being identified as an essential service, catering to vital transshipment, exports, imports and related logistics services, which are the backbone of the economy of Sri Lanka, has received and is assured of an uninterrupted supply of electricity and fuel to maintain the demand required,” the entities said in a joint statement. 

It added that shipping services are essential service exports and contribute immensely to the Sri Lankan economy. Hence, the shipping community stresses the importance of Colombo as a regional transshipment hub.  

Inter-terminal trucking between terminals and transport for logistics services to move domestic laden and empty containers are receiving priority. Clearance of imports and export shipments are also moving at desired levels notwithstanding the delays in the clearance of some import cargoes, due to a shortage of foreign currency.   

Acknowledging the vital importance of the sector for economic sustenance and revival of the country, the stakeholders of the sector said there is confident in being able to meet the economic challenges and ensure service delivery to customers. 

The POC continues to grow and the figures for the first four months up to April 2022 reflect an overall growth in volumes of 100,356 TEU (4.3 percent) and in transshipment, 92,099 TEU (5 percent) when compared with the corresponding period in 2021.