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THE Port of colombo (POC) has seen a robust 24 per cent surge in container volumes topping the 2 million TEU mark in the first quarter of 2024.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said alongside this surge, the overall transshipment volume at Colombo port reached 1,729,314 TEU during the first quarter, representing a significant growth of 24.20 per cent compared to the same period last year.
The SLPA noted the growth underscores the Port of Colombo’s prowess in attracting higher volumes and solidifies its position as a premier shipping hub in the region, writes Sri Lanka’s Daily FT.
Container volume handling by SLPA terminals rose higher by 48 per cent year on year to 652,766 TEU in Q1.
The upsurge in container volumes was attributed to various factors, including the ongoing Red Sea crisis and its wider implications. SLPA’s transshipment volume during the first three months of this year increased by 49.81 per cent to 582,403 TEU year on year.
SLPA chairman Keith D Bernard said that the port is poised to become a key transshipment serving the Middle East, as many shipping lines are rerouting vessels to avoid prevailing risks in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
Mr Bernard also said that the completion of the East Container Terminal (ECT) Stage II and the acquisition of new ship-to-shore cranes will further boost POC’s standing as a leading shipping hub in the region.
# colombo# port# q1# box# volume# surges# 24pc# to# over# 2m# teu
