Container throughput at Colombo port hits all-time high

The container throughput at the Port of Colombo hit an all-time high of 7.25 million TEUs recording growth of 5.84 percent in 2021 over the previous year, Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) data showed.

The transshipment volumes handled by the Port rose to 4.2 percent year-on-year

The transshipment volumes handled by the Port rose to 4.2 percent year-on-year (YoY) to 5.85 million TEUs, and transshipment volumes accounted for 81 percent of the Port’s container throughput during the period.

Similarly, the import and export container volumes also grew by 10.3 percent YoY and 9.3 percent YoY to 602,435 TEUs and 596,620 TEUs respectively. In addition, re-stowing volumes rose by 32.1 percent YoY  to 200,256 TEUs.

The Port’s only fully operational deep container terminal, Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) handled 3.21 million TEUs during the year, up by 11.3 percent from 2.88 TEUs recorded in 2020. It contributed to 44.27 percent of container throughput of the Port in 2021, compared to 42 percent and 40 percent in 2020 and 2019.

Meanwhile, SLPA-managed Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) and its partially operational East Container Terminal (ECT) handled nearly 2.2 million TEUs in 2021, marginally up from 2.1 million TEUs in 2020.

The container volumes handled by South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) declined marginally to 1.84 million TEUs in the year from 1.87 million TEUs in 2020, mainly due disruptions to global vessel movement unfolded in the third quarter of last year.  However, the terminal reported nine percent YoY increase in container volumes in the fourth quarter of last year after container volumes dropped by 18 percent YoY in the third quarter.

“The profitability at SAGT recorded an increase as a result of improved volumes and higher revenue from ancillary operations, despite the marginal shift in the throughput mix on account of the continuing import restrictions in place in the country,” the terminal operator said.  Container throughput at the Port rose by 16 percent YoY to 653,191 TEUs with all terminals recording double digit growth rates.

During the year 2021, the Port of Colombo saw 3,675 ship arrivals

During the year 2021, the Port of Colombo saw 3,675 ship arrivals including 3,180 container ships, down from 3,806 ships and 3,281 container ship arrivals in 2020.

Meanwhile, cargo volumes at CMPort-managed Hambantota Port rose by 28.5 percent YoY to 2.24 million tonnes in 2021 driven by break bulk volumes. However, liquid bulk or tanker cargos volumes were down by over 50 percent YoY.