After a challenging period characterised by delays to berthing and cargo build-up, Colombo Port operations have been ‘normalised’ with all the three terminals now at close to optimal operational levels, said a joint communiqué issued by Sri Lanka Ports Authority, South Asia Gateway Terminal and Colombo International Container Terminal.
Average berthing delays are now 3 hours and 2.5 hours, respectively, for vessel arrivals and departures, and this is primarily due to peak navigational demands and unseasonal weather. Vessels without a pre-allocated berthing window are being held at anchorage and may encounter intermittent berthing delays. Container movements between the three terminals in the port have been restored, although it is accepted that intermittent challenges are still being experienced during high volume movements for specific vessels with short lead times. Carriers are being requested to reduce long dwell transhipment containers at terminals in order to assist efforts to maintain optimum yard operations, as per a report.
Source: Exim News Service: Colombo, Jan. 19
