Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port moves up in global list of Busiest Container Ports
A global ranking has reportedly recorded that Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port has moved up two places to become the 25th busiest container port. Colombo Port has been placed next to Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, which is helped by a Chinese run terminal.
According to reports, in 2016 Colombo’s volumes have recorded a growth of 10.6 percent to 5.734 million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) helping it overtake Bremen/Bremerhaven (5.535 mn) in Germany and Tanjung Prion (5.515mn) in Indonesia, in a ranking of top 100 container ports by Lloyd’s List.
“The significant rise in volumes came as a result of an influx of ultra large containerships calling the Colombo International Container Terminal, situated in the port’s new south harbour development, capable of handling three ULCs simultaneously,” the publication has reportedly stated.
CICT is operated by China Merchant Holdings group.
Ho Chi Minh City retained its position as the 24th busiest port with volumes growing 3.4 percent to 5.98 million units in 2016.
The news report further notes that Chinese ports dominate the list with Shanghai in top spot 37.13 million TEUs, Shenzen in third with 23.97 million units, Ningbo-Zhoustan (4th place) with 21.56 million units, Hong Kong (6th) with 19.81 million, Guangzhou (7th) 18.8 million and Qindao (8th place) with 18.0 million units.
Outside of China there are only the ports of Singapore (2nd place) with 30.9 million units, South Korea’s Busan (5th place) 19.85 million and Dubai (9th place) with 14.77 million.
OSL take:
The increase in the Colombo’s Port’s listing in global rankings indicates the growing maritime traffic entering Sri Lanka. The ability of the Colombo Port to compete with other major ports in the world indicates the development and efficiency of the Colombo Port. The fact that the port serves as a maritime hub in the Indian Ocean will provide the opportunity for local shipping companies to tie up with international maritime lines to get their ships to call at the Colombo Port for business. On the other hand discerning entrepreneurs could present proposals and engage in developing supplementary infrastructure required by the Colombo Port to serve the ships as well as crew calling at the Port.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/06112017/Z_2 |