In a significant step toward strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as a regional maritime hub, Maersk Line has signed a three-year Terminal Service Agreement (TSA) with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). The agreement is expected to foster business growth, enhance operational efficiency, and pave the way for stronger collaboration between the global shipping leader and Sri Lanka’s premier port operator.

Through this partnership, Maersk Line will continue to utilize SLPA terminals for its regional operations, benefiting from Colombo’s strategic location at the crossroads of major East-West shipping routes. The TSA reflects Maersk’s confidence in the service quality and operational standards maintained by SLPA, while also reinforcing Port of Colombo’s (POC) status as a key transshipment hub in South Asia.

Officials from both sides emphasized that the agreement will not only ensure greater service reliability but also contribute to the long-term growth prospects of the upcoming Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT) development. Once fully operational, CECT is expected to significantly enhance capacity and efficiency, offering shipping lines, including Maersk, expanded opportunities to scale up operations. At the moment, POC is equipped with CECT, CICT, and CWIT 1 to cater to the needs of Maersk’s caliber vessels, which guarantee schedule reliability.

The partnership demonstrates the growing trust between SLPA and international shipping lines, positioning Colombo as a preferred port of call in the region. Industry stakeholders anticipate that this collaboration will yield new opportunities for trade facilitation, job creation, and enhanced competitiveness for Sri Lanka in the global maritime sector. (courtesy – local media)