The MV ‘MSC Ingrid’ marked this milestone with its maiden call at HIP on April 9, unloading over 500 TEUs of transshipment containers destined for further connection to the vessel ‘MSC Sky 11,’ scheduled to arrive on April 16.

The initial shipment, originating from Rotterdam Port, is bound for Dubai via the second carrier, marking a significant step for HIP in facilitating regional maritime connectivity 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), hailed this achievement as a breakthrough in the port’s business portfolio.

He expressed pride in partnering with MSC, the world’s largest container carrier, and highlighted the potential of the container transshipment service to bolster Sri Lanka’s position in the regional marine connectivity index.

Liu emphasised HIPG’s commitment to expanding infrastructure and equipment investments to accommodate larger vessels on the east-west shipping route. Leveraging HIP’s strategic location and expertise, he affirmed their dedication to enhancing Sri Lanka’s status as a regional hub.

Acknowledging the support of Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Liu expressed gratitude for facilitating shipping connectivity between HIP and the Port of Colombo (POC). This approval enables local importers and exporters to conduct direct shipments or transshipment of cargo between HIP and POC, contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with road transport.

COO of HIPG, Tissa Wickremasinghe, emphasised the significance of container handling in completing HIP’s operational framework even as he highlighted the benefits of the container services for investors in the Port Industrial Zone, enabling direct importation of raw materials and exportation of finished products through HIP, thus positioning it as a gateway and transshipment port.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)