Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port Ranked Fastest Growing Port In The World In Q1 2024
Alphaliner, a leading shipping industry research publication, ranked the Port of Colombo the fastest-growing port in the world in Q1 2024.
This estimate comes after the port achieved a staggering growth rate of 23.6%. K.D.S Ruwanchandra, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Maritime and Aviation Services, praised the port’s outstanding performance despite previous union strikes that did not affect progress.
The port generated revenue of $50 million in Q1 2024 and will contribute a total profit of $100 million by 2023.
Ruwanchandra also discussed ongoing initiatives such as the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) and Western Terminal, which are scheduled to open in February 2025.
In addition, works are underway at the Eastern Terminal and North Port, as well as development projects at Trincomalee, Galle and Kankasanthurai ports.
A new passenger ferry service from India departs from Kankasanthurai port every Friday.
In the aviation sector, Engineer Atula Galketiya, Chairman of Airports and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Limited (AASL), announced that international passenger traffic reached 4.3 million in July 2024, an increase of 26.10% over the same period in 2023.
International air traffic increased by 24.50% and air cargo increased by 28.96%.
Galketiya also revealed plans to address facility issues at Bandaranaike International Airport, with construction of a second terminal expected to begin soon.
The airport is expected to handle about 9 million new passengers by the end of 2028 and will undergo renovations. Such as installing new counters and e-gates to streamline operations.
Negotiations with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to obtain the necessary credit line are expected to be completed next month.
Efforts are underway to address staffing issues at air traffic control, with 80 controllers resigning over pay issues. The government has appointed more than 25 new inspectors and is currently looking for more.
The press conference held at the Presidential Press Centre as part of the series of events on “Two Years of Progress and the Way Forward” was attended by the Director General and CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Keith D. Bernard, the Merchant Marine Secretariat, General Ajith Wijesinghe and other officials.
