The geopolitics of port investments in the Indian Ocean has transformed the region’s economic and strategic dynamics, with countries like China, India, and the United States vying for influence.
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As reported by Container News, India’s new container transshipment hub at Vizhinjam is progressing rapidly, with Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) emerging as a likely long-term customer. Thanks to its strategic location and deep draft, Vizhinjam is anticipated to challenge Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port for a share of the region’s transshipment volumes.
Container News has conducted an in-depth analysis to assess the potential of Vizhinjam, comparing it to the well-established Colombo Port.
According to...
Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) announced the call of the 24,000 TEU container vessel Ever Arm at the Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT) on 5 September.
Sailing under the flag of Taiwan, the giant container ship marks a significant milestone for the Port of Colombo, the busiest port in South Asia.
Ever Arm, measuring 400 metres in length and 60 metres in beam, features a substantial summer draught of 17.027 metres and an advanced propulsion system that enhances its operational efficiency and...
https://container-news.com/port-of-colombo-marks-milestone-with-24000-teu-ever-arm-call/
In 2024, Sri Lanka’s Port of Colombo has shown impressive growth in container handling, highlighting a strong improvement in operational performance.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) reported a substantial increase of 16% year-on-year, processing 1,541,034 TEUs in 2024 so far. Additionally, South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), a major port operator at Port of Colombo, experienced growth, handling 1,281,642 TEUs this year, up 10.4% from the same period last year. Meanwhile, the Colombo...
https://container-news.com/sri-lankas-port-of-colombo-sees-increased-box-volumes/
One of MSC container ships caught fire after an explosion in Sri Lanka’s Colombo port on 11 August.
The incident of the 2006-built, 2,824 TEU MSC Capetown III occurred in Colombo’s Jaya Container Terminal around 1 am local time.
MSC Capetown III, which serves MSC’s East Africa Service or South Asia – East Africa Service (Dar Es Salam Service), was discharging 995 boxes and loading 880 boxes at the time of the incident. The ship had just arrived from Singapore and many of the containers were to be...
https://container-news.com/msc-vessel-suffers-blast-in-colombo-port/
High port tariffs that have long proved to be a deterrent for container lines to open more direct calls on the Indian coast are becoming more competitive or cheaper.
Buoyed by the initial carrier interest in making trial calls, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has announced significantly attractive service rates at its new Vizhinjam Port.
Vizhinjam, a green-field site located about 10 miles southwest of Trivandrum in southern India, began commercial vessel calls on a trial basis with...
https://container-news.com/adani-ports-undercuts-colombo-to-boost-hub-prospects-for-vizhinjam-port/
The US government has decided to invest US$553 million in building a new deep-water container terminal in Sri Lanka’s Port of Colombo.
The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), America’s development finance institution, will provide the financial support for the development of the West Container Terminal.
DFC CEO, Scott Nathan said the new terminal will expand the container capacity of the major Sri Lankan port, “creating greater prosperity for Sri Lanka, without adding to...
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has committed more than half a billion dollars to support the development of a deepwater shipping container terminal in the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The post DFC commits half a billion dollars for Port of Colombo’s infrastructure...
The US government, through the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), has committed more than US$553 million to support the development of a deepwater shipping container terminal in the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka. The financing in the form of private sector loans is being provided...
The Sri Lankan government will spend around US$132 million on port development projects, as stated by the minister of ports, shipping, and aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva.
According to the minister, these investments would be made through revenue generated from port operations.
During an event in Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka, Nimal Siripala de Silva said the government has allocated over US$100 million for the Eastern Container Terminal and US$32 million for the Jaya Container Terminal.
https://container-news.com/sri-lankan-government-invests-us132-million-on-port-development/