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The Container throughout volumes
of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) in comparison to the
January 2009 have shown a positive growth for the same
period in 2010. Compared to the total of 136,994TEUs
handled by SLPA for the month of January 2009, SLPA has been
able to handle 165, 400 TEUs for the same period of 2010
indicating a positive growth of 20.7%. This has also
elevated the overall throughput volumes at
Colombo Port
in 26.7% for January 2010 compared to the same period of
2009.
As a result of the global
financial recession during the last few years, Colombo port
was also hit with a slight draw back resulting a change of
throughput volumes bringing down the overall TEU handling
at Colombo Port in -6.0% in 2009. However, it was reported
that most of the international container ports had
experienced a double digit drop in TEUs mainly due to the
global financial melt-down.
As a result of the implementation
of the three year plan for the development and improvement
of SLPA by its Chairman Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama together
with the effective strategic steps taken towards boosting
the productivity at SLPA, under guidance by Hon. Minister of
Port, Aviation, Irrigation and Water Management Chamal
Rajapaksa, it marked a considerable improvement in the
container through-put (TEUs) for the month of December 2009
again compared to the same period of 2008. Hence, while SLPA
marked a growth of 12.5%. for December 2009,
Port
of Colombo
has also reached a growth of 19.2% for the same period.
As an effective result of the
steps taken and team work headed by the Chairman of SLPA,
Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama, Managing Director Capt. Nihal
Keppetipola together with the management of SLPA during the
recent past, a number of shipping giants in the global
marine transportation such as APL, Maersk and MSC were
attracted to SLPA while several other prominent
international shipping lines confident of the efficient
operations, services and facilities extended also await to
visit SLPA during the near future.
(CPRD-22022010) |
