The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association (FTZMA) has raised serious concerns over the rising number of vessel omissions at the Port of Colombo, warning that the disruptions are increasingly affecting Sri Lanka’s exporters and jeopardising the country’s position as a regional shipping hub.
In a letter to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, the FTZMA highlighted that the frequent skipping of Colombo by mainline shipping operators in recent months has caused production bottlenecks, shipment delays, and increased costs for both exporters and importers.
“These disruptions not only undermine the reliability of Sri Lanka’s hub status but also discourage international buyers from sourcing through Sri Lanka,” the FTZMA said.
Industries heavily reliant on just-in-time logistics, such as garments, rubber, and electronics, have been particularly hard hit, with vessel omissions leading to shortages of raw materials and missed export deadlines.
While acknowledging global shipping challenges, the FTZMA emphasised the need for urgent government intervention to restore efficiency at Colombo Port.
The FTZMA urged the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and the Ministry to engage directly with shipping lines, improve inter-terminal transfer systems, enhance road connectivity between terminals, and expedite the commissioning of the East Container Terminal (ECT) and West Container Terminal (WCT) to increase long-term capacity.
FTZMA officials, including Chairman Dhammika Fernando and Honorary Secretary M.H.Z.M.M. Marzook, also stressed the importance of regular consultations with major shipping lines and a clear government action plan to prevent further operational disruptions and protect the export sector.
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