Colombo port claims normal operations amid Sri Lanka economic turmoil

Congestion had built up at the South Asian transhipment hub as the country plunged into an economic crisis with power outages, food shortages and political protests leading to a three-day curfew. Inter-terminal transfers in the port were hit by fuel shortages.

In a video released by the Sri Lankan Port Authority (SLPA), which can be viewed above terminal operators sought to reassure customers that it continued to operate normally.

Jack Huang, CEO of Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) said: As we all know, Sri Lanka is going through the unprecedented time from a political and economic standpoint, but I wish to inform all our customers and other stakeholders that CICT continues to provide uninterrupted services under the same level of productivity that our customers are used to.

“We do not face any power outages and the initial impact on the ITT connectivity due to the fuel supply was also quickly overcome some of the combined effort of all three terminals.”

Romesh David, CEO of South Asia Gateway Terminals said: “This is a is a message primarily to reassure our customers and the maritime community, both in Sri Lanka and around the world, and in South Asia in particular, that operations in the port of Colombo are functioning at normal levels. We did have some challenges with respect to inter terminal transfers. those are largely behind us now.”

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David noted that container volumes at the port in Q1 this year were 6% higher than 2021, a record year.