Sri Lankas Central Bank noted recently that there had been a 15% increase in the cargo handling, storage and warehousing sub-sector in the first quarter of 2005. During this period, 609,765 TEUs had been handled by the countrys ports. For the second quarter, transhipment went up by 17.4% and now accounts for two thirds of total traffic; local traffic grew by 17.9%.
These include NYK, MOL, CMA CGM, PSA, HPH, Evergreen, Container Corporation of India, Larsen & Toubro and Gammon India. A contract is expected to be awarded in September or October.
As part of plans to position Colombo as a regional hub, private-sector participation is to double and capacity boosted from 2.2m TEUs in 2004 to 4m by 2009.
