Colombo port sees marginal growth to 4.3 mln TEUs in 2013
View(s):Colombo port has recorded container throughput at 4.3 million TEUs last year recording a marginal growth of 2.8 per cent compared to 2012, a media release issued by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) stated.
The port has handled a total container throughput in transshipment operations figures to 3,208,117 in 2013 against 3,064,767 in 2012 showing a growth of 4.7 per cent, it was stated.
Domestic operations at the port also showed a growth of 1.1 per cent in 2013 compared to the same in 2012. The total container throughput of the port in 2013 was 4,306,206 TEUs against 4,187,120 TEUs in 2012, up by 2.8 per cent. The port recorded a growth of 12.3 per cent TEUs in transshipment operations during last year compared to the same period in 2012 amounting to 1,779,882 TEUs in 2013 compared to 1,584,985 TEUs handled in this regard in 2012.
SLPA has also shown a 1.8 per cent growth in domestic operations in 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
The Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) at the Colombo port recorded 9884 TEU operations which was its highest ever operations within a day on 02nd November 2013, whilst making the highest ever record of 2, 35,750 TEU operations in one month in July last year. In 2013 SLPA took steps to attract container vessels belonging to seven major shipping lines at the JCT. SLPA is working towards building its East Terminal to commence operations in the near future for which a 400 m terminal and a container yard facility will be constructed under Phase I with a project cost of US $ 80 million, it was stated.
The release noted that the new terminal would be equipped with facilities to cater to the largest and mega container vessels that would join the international maritime fleet during the coming years.