Vehicle carriers call at H’tota Port

5 June 2012 03:55 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Two vessels carrying over 1000 motor vehicles will call at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port for transshipments today and tomorrow, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said.

S L PA recently announced that in order to reduce berthing delays experienced by roll-onroll-off vessels at the Colombo Port, all the vessels carrying motor vehicles should call at Hambantota Port, which is also called Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa port.

“Accordingly, the vessel N4K FRICIA from Japan will call at the Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port with 15 vehicles for transshipment today. She will be followed by ASIAN SUN calling from Chennai in India tomorrow, carrying more than 1000 vehicles for transshipment,” a SLPA statement said.

The vehicles brought by ASIAN SUN will be transshipped from Magma Ruh unupura Mahinda Rajapa ksa Port to Algeria by the car carrier ASIAN Legend on June 15.

The SLPA also said that in addition to the already announced concessions granted to any type of vessel calling at Hmbantota Port, importers of vehicles will be given special concessions.

“The prompt berthing of vessels, ample secure parking facilities would assure speedy turnaround of vessels,” SLPA said.

Due to the non-availability of a dedicated automobile terminal at the Colombo Port and lack of yard storage areas, rollon-roll-off vessels have suffered long delays in berthing.

This, according to SLPA has resulted in operators increasing freight rates to Colombo, which was borne by Sri Lankan importers and passed on to the customers eventually.

Furthermore, SLPA pointed out that major roll-on-roll-off operators could not promote automobile transshipment business over the Port of Colombo.

In 2009, the Colombo Port handled 4,973 vehicles as transshipment and in 2010- 2,455 vehicles and in 2011 only 993 vehicles.

“This clearly indicates the drop in transshipment of automobile volumes over Colombo due to the congestion and non-availability of dedicated automobile terminals.”

”The new move will enable to reduce congestion over Colombo, introduce quicker clearance system with SL Customs where the document processing can be done in either Hambantota or Colombo without delays, and promote transshipment business with a dedicated automobile handling terminal facility in Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port,” the SLPA statement said.

According to SLPA, the commencement of operations at Magampura Port will also establish it as an international maritime transportation facility countering adverse publicity against it.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Vehicle carriers call at H’tota Port

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident