Hambantota International Port pivots with first ever container ship handling

MSC Ingrid entering HIP on her maiden call

HIPG CEO Johnson Liu presenting a plaque to MSC Director Operations & Regional Operations Manager Shamal Perera on board the ‘MSC Ingrid.’ Ship’s Master Lowell Corte JP looks on

First container shipment discharging at HIP

• Says launching of new business platform together with world’s largest container carrier MSC is an important breakthrough in Hambantota port’s business portfolio
• Container handling is the last cog in Hambantota port ‘machinery’ and it falling into place will complete HIP’s big picture
• Move a major boost to investors in Hambantota Port Industrial Zone
• Says shipping industry continuously looking for smarter, more cost effective options
• Confident container transhipment service will enhance Sri Lanka’s position in marine connectivity index for South Asian region
• HIP plans to make optimal use of strategic location, capacity and expertise to deliver Hambantota's full potential and enhance Sri Lanka’s regional hub status

In a landmark move, the Hambantota International Port (HIP) yesterday commenced its inaugural container transhipment service operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).  

MV ‘MSC Ingrid’ made her maiden call at HIP, discharging a total of 500 plus TEUs of transhipment containers to be connected to a second carrier, ‘MSC Sky 11’ expected to call at the port on 16 April.  The first shipment of containers consigned to the regional multipurpose port on the east west shipping route, originated from the Rotterdam Port and will reach its final destination, Dubai via the second carrier. 

Commenting on the port’s historic milestone, China Merchants Group in Sri Lanka Chief Representative and Hambantota International Port Group CEO Johnson Liu said: “We are happy to announce the beginning of Hambantota International Port’s inaugural Container Transhipment service. Launching this new business platform together with MSC is an important breakthrough in the port’s business portfolio, and we are proud to have the world’s largest container carrier as our partner.” 

 “We are confident our container transhipment service will enhance Sri Lanka’s position in the marine connectivity index for the South Asian region. With MSC’s collaborative partnership, HIPG will now look at expanding our investment in equipment and other infra-structure facilities, enabling us to service larger vessels on the east west shipping route.  We plan to make optimal use of HIP’s strategic location, capacity and expertise, to deliver the full potential the port is capable of, doing our part to enhance Sri Lanka’s regional hub status,” Liu added.

The CEO thanked the  Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva for the support and cooperation extended to HIP in granting the required approval and giving necessary direction to his officials to facilitate the shipping connectivity between HIP and the Port of Colombo (POC). Through this approval, local importers and exporters would be able to make direct shipments and/or transhipment of cargo to and from HIP to POC and vice-versa. Given the climate change environmental concerns in the logistics and supply chain industry, the shipping connectivity between the two Ports will make a significant impact in reducing green-house gas emissions as opposed to road transport. 

HIPG Chief Operating Officer Tissa Wickremasinghe says container handling is the last cog in the port ‘machinery’ and it falling into place will complete HIP’s big picture.  “The introduction of Container services through HIP will be a major boost to investors in the Port Industrial Zone, who will now benefit from directly importing their raw material requirements for production and the export of their finished products directly through HIP – thus making HIP a gateway and transhipment port.”

As the world economy re-adjusts to find more efficient systems to produce and transport goods, the shipping industry is continuously looking for smarter, more cost effective options.  

MSC’s Director Operations and Regional Operations Manager-Colombo Shamal Perera, said the shipping company would always look for the best options available for customers amidst current global challenges faced by the shipping lines.  “As a forward thinking Carrier, MSC will always evaluate available options in order to be flexible in providing the best services to our customers. HIP has worked very closely with us to meet our requirements with the facilities currently available at the port. We also believe the approval granted by the Minister of Ports & Shipping to provide connectivity between HIP and the POC is a futuristic move that must be commended.”

The Hambantota International Port has placed itself in an ideal position to provide sought after solutions needed by the industry. The port is currently developing on five silos, to ensure enhanced service value and necessary synergies, while placing emphasis on stringent rules for health and safety.