New Zealand HC explores opportunities at HIP

New Zealand High Commission delegation with HIP team

New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka David Gregory Pine visited the Hambantota International Port (HIP) recently to gain first-hand knowledge on its development and growing international relevance. 

Accompanying him was High Commission Policy Adviser Rasika Sumudhu Jayasinghe.

The delegation was taken on a tour of the HIP’s state-of-the-art facilities and briefed on the port’s multipurpose operations, ranging from container and bulk cargo handling to RORO services, energy logistics and integrated industrial support. The visit opened meaningful dialogue around international collaboration and showcased the HIP’s increasing appeal as a logistics and maritime hub for regional and global partners.

Strategically located just 10 nautical miles from the busy East-West shipping route, the HIP is fast gaining recognition as a key player in the Indian Ocean maritime corridor. Over the past year, the port has reported exceptional growth across multiple sectors, reiterating its position as an enabler of trade not just for Sri Lanka but for the wider region.

Pine’s visit emphasises the growing international interest in the HIP’s role as a maritime gateway and signals the potential for deeper engagement between Sri Lanka and New Zealand across trade, logistics and investment.