Hambantota port breaks new ground in RO-RO transhipment from West to East

Made in Slovenia BMW’s in the Hambantota port RORO yard awaiting transhipment to Korea 

The Hambantota International Port (HIP) handled over 900 units of the latest BMWs transhipped from the Port of Koper - Slovenia to the Port of Pyeongtaek in South Korea last week.

While usual traffic for transhipment at HIP is in the East to West direction, this operation proves that there is a slow growth of RORO cargo coming in from the West and going to the East.

Hambantota International Port Group Chief Operating Officer Tissa Wickramasinghe said: “The fact that these high end vehicles are now coming our way is a clear indication that HIP’s efficiency, reliability, quality of service and capacity for transhipment has now reached ‘best in the world’ standards.”

“While it is the most convenient port of call for transhipment for both the pacific and the Indian Ocean, HIP’s services are top notch.  Currently, we are pitching our expertise to Original Equipment Manufacturers of electric vehicles,” he added.

Last year HIP benchmarked over 500,000 units of vehicles moving mostly from manufacturers in the East transhipping to the West.  As of mid-April this year, the port has already transhipped over 200,000 units of vehicles. The Hambantota International Port is certain it will top last year’s transhipment figures by the end of 2023.