SLPA heralds K Line’s brand new car carrier MV “Delhi Highway”
View(s):K Line – the pioneer in the transport of automobiles – made its maiden call at the Colombo port with its car carrier RO-RO vessel MV “Delhi Highway” on January 4.
To mark the maiden call of the vessel MV “Delhi Highway”, at Port of Colombo, a plaque exchange ceremony was held on board the vessel between Dr. Priyath B Wickrama, Chairman SLPA and the Master of the vessel Capt. Peter C. Dzhiliyalov. Mr. Makoto Hashizume – CEO of the K Line Container Division in Singapore made a special visit to Sri Lanka to grace this occasion.
The 299m long vessel built in July 2011 has a gross tonnage of 58997 and a dead weight of 18891 tons. MV “Delhi Highway” sails under the flag of Panama and has recorded a maximum speed of 20.3 knots.
SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath B Wickrama said, “We as terminal operators are facing challenges. We have been able to maintain higher productivity levels in all terminal activities with added capacity and capabilities of current Port of Colombo. Our fleet of equipment was strengthened. Yard space, we have added close to 600,000 TEU annual capacities. We spent approximately US$ 200 million to upgrade these facilities. This apart, with the largest-ever infrastructure projects taking shape in Sri Lanka, I believe, nothing could hinder Sri Lanka becoming the logistics hub of South Asia.”
Capt. Nihal Keppetipola – Managing Director of SLPA stated that since the commencement of RO/RO operations at the Hambantota port in June last year, congestion at Port of Colombo has significantly eased off. “We promote MRMRP (Hambantota port) for transshipment and shipments of individually imported vehicles while Colombo can accommodate vessels bringing in brand new vehicles in bulk orders. As clearance won’t take much time in the case of such orders, their yard occupation time will be minimal.” said Capt. Keppetipola.
John Shiran Dissanayake – Chairman of ABC Shipping (Private) Limited, expressing confidence with the RO – RO operations handled by SLPA both in Colombo and the Hambantotal Port stated that the facilities at both ports are sure to benefit more brand new ships to call at Colombo and Hambantota during the year. He further opined that the facilities at Hambantota would also enhance the confidence of their principals to consider promoting transshipment of vehicles from India to route via Sri Lanka to East Africa and Europe. “The principals would launch some brand new ships in 2013 and 2014, which will call at Ports of Sri Lanka,” he said.
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