Aerial photo taken on June 30, 2021 shows a cargo ship at Sri Lanka's Hambantota International Port. (Photo by Liu Hongru/Xinhua)
Sri Lanka's Hambantota International Port responded well amid challenges posed by COVID-19 lockdowns and has experienced 187-percent growth in total cargo volumes in the first six months of 2021, compared to the same period last year.
COLOMBO, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Hambantota International Port (HIP) has seen 187-percent growth in total cargo volumes in the first six months of 2021, compared to the same period last year, a statement by the operating company said Tuesday.
HIP's overall cargo volume stood at 1,206,425 MT at end June 2021, compared to 420,421 MT at end June 2020. RORO (roll-on/roll-off) volume stood at 413,005 MT at end June 2021 compared to 239,827 MT at end June 2020, according to the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG).
Bulk volumes increased considerably from 1,443 MT at end June 2020 to 578,327 MT at end June 2021. Meanwhile, liquid bulk increased from 179,151 MT at end June 2020 to 215,094 MT at end June 2021.
Aerial photo taken on May 6, 2021 shows a view of Sri Lanka's Hambantota International Port. (Photo by Liu Hongru/Xinhua)
HIPG General Manager, Commercial and Marketing, Lance Zuo said, "As Hambantota Port is working towards being a fully functional multipurpose port by next year, we are gearing at all levels, which includes continuous training and testing our systems for optimum efficiency."
Zuo said the port, located in the southern tip of the country, has responded well amid challenges posed by COVID-19 lockdowns and has positioned itself as an efficient port.
HIPG is a joint venture between the government of Sri Lanka and China Merchants Port Holdings (CMPort).■
