Strategic expansion and business promotion programme is set to attract new shipping lines to the Port of ombo (POC) at present.
It has been planned and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT), South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA.) and Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Owners (SLAVO)
The aim is to effectively address strategic business promotions as a fruitful mean to overcome the prevailing economic crisis.
Attracting more new lines to the POC, increasing operational efficiency, expediting naval services, efficiency in logistics and warehouse management and container and cargo transportation are among the objectives.
MV VAN HAI A 10, a vessel from the prestigious VAN HAI fleet, made its momentous inaugural call at the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) inder this programme on May. 16.
This significant event marked the ship’s first visit to the esteemed Port of Colombo (POC) as part of the Asia to America Service 7 (AA7).
In celebration of this milestone, a welcome ceremony was held at the terminal with the initiative of the Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.
The Minister exchanged plaques with the Master of the vessel Capt. Hu Xiao Ming to mark the inaugural call of the vessel at the POC.
The Minister stressed that the timely and successful completion of all the ongoing large-scale development programs at the port would not only attract a greater number of container vessels but also various other cargo, service, and passenger vessels to its terminals, solidifying its position as the central hub port in the Asian region.
The MV VAN HAI A 10, measuring 335 meters in length and 51 meters in width, called at the POC this week sails under the Singapore flag. With a draft of 51 meters, this vessel has a capacity of 14,000 TEUs. McLaren’s Shipping Limited serves as the local agent for this vessel.
Further as an ininitial step MSC America, the first container vessel under the business promotions programme to attract new lines to the Port of Colombo (POC), called at the East Container Terminal (ECT), owned by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority recently.
MSC America that called at the ECT, owned by the POC, will hereafter operate a weekly call to Colombo.
On the first call, the vessel carried 2300TEUs to Colombo and is expected to carry 2500TEUs on a weekly basis. The vessel, with a length of 334m and a 7.5m draft, sails under the flag of Panama. The port rotation includes Singapore and South Africa.
