Global vessel operators hail Govt’s PPP to revive Hambantota Port

Hambantota Port

• Calls for quick completion of East Container Terminal if Colombo to remain competitive transhipment hub

The Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators (SLAVO) has welcomed the Government’s new public-private partnership deal to revive the Hambantota Port.

A significant stakeholder in the country’s maritime industry with a commanding 80% of the major container shipping lines operating to Sri Lanka, SLAVO said it was “very encouraged to see positive steps taken in the right direction to lease out the Hambantota Port to China Merchants Group which would greatly benefit Sri Lank as a whole.”

SLAVO’s written observation by its Vice Chairman Arjuna Hettiarachchi came following a meeting with Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe and Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake recently.

The vessel operators also appreciated the Government’s decision to enter into a billion-dollar partnership with a State-owned listed Chinese company (CMPort) to revive the “loss-making” Hambantota Port.

SLAVO also said with development work to be at full throttle soon at the East Container Terminal, the restriction on deep draft ships will soon be eased, thus allowing the Colombo Port to maintain its transhipment shipping hub status and also to expand itself to be the regional maritime hub. 

“It is of paramount important that the East Container Terminal is built and completed at the shortest possible time," SLAVO said.



"Failing to do so will result in the Colombo Port becoming uncompetitive, having limited alongside draft/shortage of berths and infrastructure facilities,” SLAVO added.