Hambantota International Port (HIPG) the single largest port in Sri Lanka recently said that it saw an increase in vessels docking at the port on the first week of the New Year and in 2018, with 300 vessels calling with different service requirements..

“Traffic to the Hambantota International Port increased significantly during the last year, with 300 vessels calling with different service requirements” the HIPG group said adding that the volume of RORO (Roll-on Roll-off) vessels handled had increased by 136%, the multi services provided by the port has pushed its activities, which were previously cantered around RORO and passenger ship operations, to bulk, break-bulk, ship supply services, repairs and layups. 

HIPG further said that the port’s marketing and commercial teams have had a busy 2018, working on a worldwide campaign to position the Hambantota Port with the focus of attracting the necessary components to make it a truly multi-purpose harbour. 

“Today, their efforts have borne fruit with so many different ships with varied service requirements calling at the port” the HIPG said adding that it expects to see a manifold increase in vessel traffic in the New Year, which would greatly increase the turnover of the port and in turn provide economic benefits to the Hambantota region.

One of the region’s top multipurpose ports, Hamabanthota Port is currently handling a number of different activities, from ship to ship transfers (STS) to ship repairs and warm layups.  Located ten nautical miles from the global trade route, the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) that runs Hamabanthota Port in Sri Lanka had become an important location in China’s CMPort’s portfolio of over 53 marine terminals across five continents. CMPort’s subsidiary company Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS), is a joint venture between HIPG and the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA). The JV company is responsible for facilitating safety within the port.

- Reporting by Devendra Francis