254 ships call MR port; 190,000 vehicle shipments handled

• SLPA says port in Hambantota earns Rs. 5.39 b revenue in 2014

During the last few days the MRMR port has been completely occupied with transshipment operations. At times vehicle were even parked outside the dedicated area for such operations

The Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa (MRMR) Port has recorded 254 calls by RO-RO vessels and handled 190,000 vehicle shipments in 2014, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority said yesterday. It said the MRMR Port received 254 RO-RO vessels from January to December this year against 137 such vessels for the same period last year, pointing to a positive change of 85%. The total number of motor vessels handled for the same period this year at MRMR Port is 188,791 units against 64,524 units for the same period last year, pointing to a positive change of 192%. During the period this year MRMR Port has handled 37,631 domestic and 151,160 transshipment units in RO-RO operations which is compared to last year the exceeding transshipment operations of RO-RO units at the MRMRP is an increase of 400%. Significantly MRMR Port has hit the total mark of 190,000 units of vehicle handing by December 2014. The MRMR Port received 422 Ro-Ro vessels from June 2012 to date, handling 69,912 Demotic and 194,152 Transshipment totally during the same period. The total vehicles handled from June 2012 to date are 264,069 units.   SLPA said MRMR Port is fast becoming a major stopover for vessels to stem bunkers with its brand new tank farm and terminal complex in full operation. The main customers are the very large bulk carriers and crude oil tankers, which are plying the busy sea lanes in the region. Since its inauguration in June there have been 134 vessels calling for bunkers only with a total volume of 53,487mt. The replenishment of stocks is ongoing with major suppliers getting actively involved in the supply chain which is very encouraging to ensure timely supplies and quality of the products. The Total revenue from Bunkering handling from June to date is Rs. 4,268 million. The total revenue of MRMR port from January to December with bunkering and vehicle operation is Rs. 5,396 million. SLPA said the position of MRMRP in Hambantota, the services rendered at present are continuing with that of the highest quality. The expansion taking place, with the ongoing massive development activity around this port, including the tank farm, the green port city and free zones providing tax havens and bunkering facilities, are sure to support a long-term dream of the vessels sailing in the Indian Ocean and those involved in the field of supply chain management as well. In the future the port will predominantly operate as a transshipment port. As an effective measure to ease the long berthing delays experienced by Roll on Roll off vessels at the Port of Colombo, SLPA re-route such vessels to the MRMR port from 6 June 2012. With the commencement of RO-RO operations, the Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port has expressed itself as a dedicated and reliable facility for international maritime transportation in the region. This new move enabled it to reduce congestion over Colombo, introducing a quicker clearance system with Sri Lanka Customs where document processing could be done in either Hambantota or Colombo without any delay, and promote transshipment business with a dedicated automobile handling terminal facility in Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port. Meanwhile, the second phase of the port is now 70% complete. The remaining work is expected to conclude during the last quarter of 2015. All developmental activities at MRMRP are being carried out under the supervision of Project Minister of Highways, Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena, the ministry’s secretary R.W. Pemesiri, SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama.