SLPA records highest-ever container throughput in 2013
Thursday, 9 January 2014 00:01
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The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said yesterday it has recorded a growth of 12.3% TEUs in transhipment operations during last year compared to the same period of 2012. Against 1,584,985 TEUs handled in this regard in 2012, SLPA has handled a total transhipment volume of 1,779,882 TEUs in 2013.
SLPA has also shown a 1.8% growth in domestic operations in 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Against a total of 2,316,849 TEUs handled by SLPA in 2012, SLPA has recorded a total container throughput of 2,501,863TEUs in the year 2013, depicting a clear growth of 8.0% in total container throughput for 2013.
Hence, the Port of Colombo has handled a total container throughput in transhipment operations figures to 3,208,117 in 2013 against a total of 3,064,767 in 2012 showing a growth of 4.7%. The domestic operations at the Port of Colombo also show a growth of 1.1% in 2013 compared to the same in 2012. The total container throughput of the Port of Colombo in 2013 is 4,306,206 TEUs against 4,187,120TEUs in 2012 that depicts a growth of 2.8%.
The Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of SLPA recorded 9,884 TEU operations, which was its highest-ever operations within a day on 2 November 2013, whilst making the highest-ever record of 235,750 TEU operations in one month in July last year. In 2013 SLPA took steps to attract container vessels belonging to seven major shipping lines at the JCT.
The SLPA has taken all strategic international maritime developments into serious consideration in making and developing its future plans and strategies.
The Colombo Port Expansion Project (CPEP) that commenced operations recently is a fruitful measure in this regard and SLPA is working towards building its East Terminal to commence operations in the near future. Accordingly, a 400m terminal and a container yard facility will be constructed under phase I with a project cost of US$ 80 million. The new terminal will be equipped with facilities to cater the largest and mega container vessels that would join the international maritime fleet during the coming years.
SLPA in its port city urban development plans and business diversification plans has also planned to construct a Colombo Port City Development Project filling a land area of 233 hectares in the ocean area in close proximity to the port premises. With the facilities of international level mega shopping malls, hotels and housing facilities to be leased out on this new project SLPA, expects to collect huge revenues to the national development.
The timely leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also the Minister of Highways, Port and Shipping, has provided all facilitation to SLPA and under instructions of Minister of Highways, Ports and Shipping (Projects) – Rohitha Abeygunawardena to the management of SLPA led by its Chairman Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama, SLPA is on the right track to make Sri Lanka the regional maritime hub in South Asia.
