In a significant development, the Hambantota International Port (HIP) has commenced its container transshipment service in partnership with the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The inauguration saw the MV ‘MSC Ingrid’ making its maiden call at HIP on Tuesday (09), unloading over 500 TEUs of transshipment containers. These containers are set to be transferred to a second carrier, ‘MSC Sky 11’, scheduled to arrive on April 16.
The initial batch of containers, originating from Rotterdam Port, is destined for Dubai via the second carrier, marking a pivotal moment for the regional multipurpose port situated on the east-west shipping route.
Johnson Liu, Chief Representative of China Merchants Group in Sri Lanka and CEO of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), expressed confidence in the port’s container transshipment service, emphasizing its potential to bolster Sri Lanka’s marine connectivity index in the South Asian region.
Liu stated, “Through our collaborative partnership with MSC, HIPG aims to expand investment in equipment and infrastructure facilities. This will enable us to accommodate larger vessels along the east-west shipping route, leveraging HIP’s strategic location, capacity, and expertise to elevate Sri Lanka’s regional hub status.”
He extended gratitude to Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva for his support in obtaining necessary approvals and facilitating shipping connectivity between HIP and the Port of Colombo (POC). The approval granted enables local importers and exporters to conduct direct shipments and transshipment of cargo between HIP and POC, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to road transport, aligning with environmental concerns in the logistics and supply chain industry.
Furthermore, HIP emphasized its commitment to providing industry-required solutions by developing five silos to enhance service value and synergies, while prioritizing stringent health and safety regulations.
The launch of the container transshipment service signifies HIP’s pivotal role in meeting evolving industry demands and underscores its commitment to sustainable and efficient port operations.
