Citing Alphaliner Monthly figures, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) noted in a press release that this growth rate was second only to the Port of Singapore which recorded 16.5% growth for the period. SLPA also pointed out that this significantly outpaced the 8.3% growth the Port of Colombo achieved for the whole of 2017 compared to the previous year.
Port of Colombo’s first quarter performance has put it ahead of several other Asian port as well as major European ports and regional competitor Dubai as well.
Alphaliner’s figures show Singapore lead volume growth in the first quarter with a 16.5% rise, followed by Port of Colombo, Port of Xiamen (11.6%), Port of Antwerp (10.7%) and Ningbo-Zhoushan with a 10.4% increase in volumes.
SLPA added that the three terminal operators at the Port of Colombo had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to operate collectively to promote the Port of Colombo and is expected to minimize container vessel turnaround time.
The agreement between SLPA’s Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), the John Keells Holdings-run South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) and CMPorts’ Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) also groups the terminals together to promote the Port of Colombo collectively and collaboratively in the international market.
The Drewry Port Connectivity Index recently ranked the Port of Colombo as the 13th best port in terms of connectivity for the fourth quarter of 2017, and also the top best connected port in South Asia.
Read More: Sri Lanka ports rise to 13th in port connectivity index
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