Vessel omissions at Colombo Port choking export sector: FTZMA warns

• Says situation has had a significant impact on the operations of exporters and the broader shipping and logistics community in the country
• Highlights exporters grappling with a shortage of vital raw materials, leading to production bottlenecks and the inability to meet crucial deadlines for export orders
• Calls for regular discussions with major shipping lines to minimise omissions

Free Trade Zone Manufacturers this week issued strong worded letter to Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilaka, raising alarm over the rising instances of vessel omissions at the Port of Colombo.

They warned that the disruptions are choking the country’s manufacturing and logistics lifelines.

The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) said the situation has had a significant impact on the operations of exporters and the broader shipping and logistics community in the country.

It highlighted that exporters are grappling with a shortage of vital raw materials, leading to production bottlenecks and the inability to meet crucial deadlines for export orders. Key industries such as garments, rubber, and electronics, which depend on tight delivery schedules and ‘just-in-time’ logistics, have been “particularly hard hit.”

“Over the past few months, we have observed several mainline operators omitting Colombo from their scheduled rotations, resulting in delays, transshipment issues, and additional costs for exporters and importers alike,” the FTZMA cautioned.

The group warned that such disruptions not only affect the reliability of Sri Lanka’s hub status but also discourage international buyers from sourcing through Sri Lanka.

While acknowledging global shipping challenges, the association said: “the frequency of these omissions indicates the need for urgent engagement between your Ministry, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), and shipping lines to ensure Colombo’s competitiveness and reliability are maintained.”

The FTZMA urged the minister to prioritise measures including reducing yard congestion through better inter-terminal transfer systems, improving road connectivity within the port, and accelerating the completion of the East and West Container Terminals.

It also called for “regular discussions with major shipping lines to minimise omissions” and for authorities to “communicate a clear plan to the trade community on steps being taken to mitigate these disruptions.”

“We once again like to stress the urgency for operational upgrades and the implementation of a secure and more efficient ITT system to resolve these issues and mitigate the ongoing risks to the export sector,” the association emphasised.