Colombo port volumes up 8.3-pct in 2017

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port has ended 207 handling 6.2 million containers up 8.3 percent in 2017, with the state-run ports agency’s older terminal also showing growth.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority said its Jaye Container Terminal which has seen shrinking volumes last year had seen growth of 5.3 percent in October, 8.2 percent in November and 13.9 percent in December.

Chinese owned Colombo International Container Terminal, which can accommodate ultra large container carriers driving volumes after South Asia Gateway Terminals has been Colombo listed John Keells Holdings reached capacity.

The older and shallower JCT lost business in the last two years.

The current government had waited up to three years without getting an investor or developing the third East Terminal, which has been partly built by the SLPA. (Colombo/Jan29/2018)