Expansion of Colombo Port attracts new shipping lines – Minister

MV VAN HAI A 10, a vessel from the prestigious VAN HAI fleet, made its momentous inaugural call at the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) on May 16, 2023. This significant event marked the ship’s first visit to the Port of Colombo (POC) as part of the Asia to America Service 7 (AA7).

In celebration of this milestone, a welcome ceremony was held at the terminal with the initiative of Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The Minister exchanged plaques with the Master of the vessel Capt. HU XIAOMING to mark the inaugural call of the vessel at the POC.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said that the Port of Colombo (POC) has witnessed a substantial increase in the number of vessels visiting its terminals. “This growth can be attributed to the meticulous execution of both short-term and long-term strategic measures at the Port,” he said.

The Minister said that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), and the private sector were collaboratively working towards the ambitious goal of achieving substantial growth and expansion in these endeavors.

Minister De Silva stressed that the timely and successful completion of all the ongoing large-scale development programs at the port would not only attract a greater number of container vessels but also various other cargo, service, and passenger vessels to its terminals, solidifying its position as the central hub port in the Asian region.

The vessel MV VAN HAI A 10, measuring 335 meters in length and 51 meters in width, called at the POC sails under the Singapore flag. With a draft of 51 meters, this vessel has a capacity of 14,000 TEUs. McLarens Shipping Limited serves as the local agent for the vessel.

Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Keith Bernard, Colombo International Container Terminals’ Director & CEO Jack Huang, several representatives of the terminal and the local agent of the vessel also attended the event.