Fuel supply stable despite rising transshipment: Sri Lanka Ports Authority

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has sufficient fuel supplies despite transshipment having increased, an official said.

The monthly diesel requirement has surged from 1.5 million liters to 2.5 million liters to accommodate terminal operators, service providers, and employee transport, SLPA Additional Managing Director (Technical) J Chandratne told reporters.

“The normal monthly requirement without such a situation was about 1.5 million liters. This amount, roughly two bowsers a day (26,400 liters), has been provided continuously by the Petroleum Corporation to the Ports Authority.”

The port is navigating a shift in cargo dynamics with overall container throughput increasing 11 to 15 across all terminals, Chandratne noted, amidst the US-Israel war on Iran.

This increase is primarily driven by transshipment, as domestic import cargo and exports have slowed.

“At this moment, there is no issue regarding oil within the Port of Colombo or port-related sectors,” Chandratne said.

“The Petroleum Corporation is currently fulfilling our requirement of three bowsers a day.”

The SLPA reported a decrease in domestic cargo — goods entering the local market — and a stagnation in export growth, partly attributed to disruptions in markets like Dubai.

“The growth that was there has stopped, and a small decrease is currently reported,” Chandratne said regarding exports.

Primarily, the Ports Authority needs diesel for tugboats, operational cranes, and prime movers.