Sri Lanka - 2.1.2 Port of Hambantota

Port Overview

The Hambantota International Port (HIP) is a deep water port that was inaugurated in 2010. It stands as the second largest port in Sri Lanka, following Colombo Port. Currently, the port can handle up to 300,000 TEUs for containers, 2.5 million tons of bulk cargo, 3 million tons of breakbulk shipments, and 600,000 units for RO-RO operations.

HIP is envisioned to become a transhipment hub, as well as a logistics hub for cargo consolidation in the region. The port offers RO-RO services for transhipment, as well as local vehicle imports. With a deep water draft of 17 m, it has the capability to handle large vessels, as well as multipurpose cargo. The port possesses the essential infrastructure, equipment, and workforce to manage bulk, breakbulk, and project cargo. There is also a dedicated berth for all cruise vessels.

Port website: https://www.slpa.lk/port-colombo/hip; http://www.hipg.lk/

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com

 

Port Location and Contact

Country

Sri Lanka

Province or District

Hambantota

Nearest Town or City

with Distance from Port

Hambantota (9.7km)

Port's Complete Name

Hambantota International Port

Latitude

6.122077

Longitude

81.105620

Managing Company or Port Authority

Hambantota International Ports Group (Pvt) Ltd

Management Contact Person

Capt. Nirmal Silva

(Harbour Master - SLPA)

T.P: +94 11 2385401

Email: nirmalsilva@slpa.lk

Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

Port Picture

image-20240514123752-1

 

Below is the illustration of HIP’s masterplan:

image-20240514123752-2

 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Hambantota International Port is managed by the Hambantota International Ports Group (Pvt) Ltd. (HIPG). It is a group created between Sri Lanka Ports Authority and China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited (CM Port). Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS) has the exclusive rights in developing, managing and operating the common user facilities such as port control, piloting, mooring, anchorage, towage, security and QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety and Environment). HIPG and HIPS work together to ensure the efficient and reliable movement of goods and passengers, integrating environmental, social and economic sustainability initiatives into all areas of port operations. In addition, security is provided by Sri Lanka Navy and stevedoring is done by Premier Shipping (Pvt) Ltd.

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List

Port Performance

Seasonal Constraints

 

Occurs

Time Frame

Rainy Season

Yes

May to September

Major Import Campaigns

N/A

N/A

Other Comments

High winds and rough seas arise during the Southwest monsoon season.

Wind Direction - Seasonal south westerly and north easterly

Wind Speed (in knots) - Maximum Average 25 kts

Current Direction - Associate with Monsoon Winds Easterly & Westerly

Current Normal Speed (maximum) - Variable according to monsoons

Current Normal Speed (minimum) - Variable according to monsoons

 

Handling Figures for 2022

Vessel Calls

249

Container Traffic (TEUs)

558,188

 

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2021

Bulk (MT)

2,249,000

Break bulk (MT)

N/A

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please refer to the following link: https://www.slpa.lk/uploads/article_attachment/attachment_2022_05_04_16516462931651646460.pdf. This booklet contains the Tariff Charges applicable for the year 2022, to all Ports, serviced by Sri Lanka Ports Authority approved, under section 37(1) of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Act No. 51 of 1979.

Berthing Specifications

Type of Berth

Quantity

Length

(m)

Maximum

Draft (m)

Comments

Conventional Berth

3

279.5

17

40 m wide

Container Berth

3

279.5

17

40 m wide

Silo Berth

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Berthing Tugs

4

2 x 35.5

2 x 36.65

2 x 4.4

2 x 4.5

Are compulsory, 1- 2 tugs will be necessary depending on the circumstances

65T - Bollard pull x 04

Tugs are local (within 30 minutes of the port)

Tugs must be ordered 1 hr. in advance

Water Barges

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A


The berthing and bollard layout of HIP is illustrated in the picture below:

image-20240514123752-3

More information at: http://www.hipg.lk/about-us/port-infrastructure-general-information

Hambantota International Port currently has 14 berths.

General Cargo Handling Berths

Cargo Type

Berth Identification

Imports - Bagged Cargo

General purpose berths (2)

Exports - Bagged Cargo

General purpose berths (2)

Imports and Exports - RoRo

Multipurpose berths (3) and General-purpose berths (2) are used

Other Imports

3 container berths for containers

1 small craft berth

1 service berth

2 feeder berths

2 oil jetties for oil

Port Handling Equipment

Equipment

Available

Total Quantity and Capacity Available

Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage

Dockside Crane

Yes

1 x 41 MT

2 x 50 MT

41 MT Crane: under spreader 41T, outreach 38m, hoist height 28m, rail gauge 16m, project no. ZP14-2251;

50 MT Crane: under spreader 50T, under Grab bucket 37T, outreach 50m, hoist height 40m, rail gauge 35m, project no. ZP13-2034.

Portal Crane

Yes

2 x 40 MT

Portal crane (Rail Span 10.5m, Lift Capacity 40t at 40m Radius)

Mobile Cranes

Yes

1 x 80 MT

1 x 50 MT

80 MT Crane: Capacity: 80t at 3m; boom length:12m to 47m; jib length: 10.1m, 17.7m;

50 MT Crane: Capacity:50T at 2.5m; Boom length: 10.7m to 34.7m; Jib length: 8.8m,15.2m.

Reachstacker

Yes

5 x 45 MT

  

RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer)

Yes

1 x 165 MT

GCW 165Tonnes - (Cargo handling capacity 150Mt subject to trailer weight)

Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines

N/A

    

Transtainer

Yes

3 x 41 MT

Rubber-tired gantries under spreader 41T, hoist height 18m, SPAN 23.47m.

Forklifts

Yes

3 x 3 MT

2x 3.5 MT

4x 5 MT

2x 6 MT

3x 16 MT

  

Customs Guidance

Sri Lanka customs headquarters is located at a walking distance from the port of Colombo. The customs administration is a department coming under the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media. The main activities of the customs at the port are Collection of revenue, prevention of revenue leakages and other frauds, facilitation of legitimate trade, collection of import and export data to provide statistics and cooperation and coordination with other Government Departments and stakeholders in respect of imports and exports. Before importing or exporting goods, custom declaration document should be submitted along with other documents. (Information regarding the documents needed is available at: https://www.customs.gov.lk/business/). The Customs Declaration (CusDec) is an important document which should be produced to the customs. It is a document based on the internationally recognized Single Administrative Document (SAD).

For more information on customs in Sri Lanka, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information

Terminal Information

MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL

There are 3 multipurpose terminals at HIP.

GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING

N/A.

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL

The port has a tank farm for diesel, Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), slop oil, water, and foam. The port is equipped with 12 fixed roof tanks (5 x 10,000 m3, 3 x 3,000 m3, 3 x 5,000 m3 and 1 x 300 m3), 3 spherical tanks (3 x 2,000 m3), 2 horizontal tanks and 1 drinking water tower.

Container freight station (CFS) and bulk cargo storage facility are to be established within HIP.

Storage Type

Quantity

Area (m2)

Spherical Tank

3

LPG - Diameter - 15.7m / Capacity 2,000 m3

Fixed Roof Tank

2

MDO/MGO - Diameter - 31m / Height -19.2m / Capacity – 10,000 m3
 

1

MDO/MGO - Diameter - 17.6m / Height -17m / Capacity – 3,000 m3

 

3

MFO - 380 - Diameter - 31m / Height -19.2m / Capacity – 10,000 m3

 

3

MFO - 380 - Diameter - 22m / Height -18m / Capacity – 5,000 m3

 

2

MDO/MGO/MFO - 380 - Diameter - 17.6m / Height -17m / Capacity – 3,000 m3

 

1

Slop Oil - Diameter - 7m / Height - 8.6m / Capacity - 300 m3

Horizontal Tank

1

Diesel - Diameter - 1.8m / Length - 4.5m / Capacity - 12 m3

 

1

Foam - Diameter - 2m / Length - 3.95m / Capacity – 10 m3

Drinking Water

1

Water - Diameter - 4m / Height - 2m / Capacity - 20 m3

Stevedoring

Stevedoring services at HIP are provided by Premier Shipping (Pvt) Ltd., a privately-owned company that serves as the port's stevedoring contractor. The services available encompass freight forwarding, chartering, ship bunkering, offshore management, supply of stores and provisions, as well as acting as a shipping agent. For further information, please visit the company’s website at: https://www.premierlk.com/shipping/home

Hinterland Information

The Magampura Expressway section plays a vital role in facilitating the movement of goods out of HIP. It connects the port with the Southern Expressway, starting from the Andarawewa System Interchange, which lies between the Sooriyawewa and Mattala Interchanges. This seamless connection allows for efficient transportation of goods from the port to the commercial capital, Colombo. This section consists of a 4-lane capacity. The maximum operating speed for this section is 100 kmph. Additionally, HIP is in the vicinity of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, which has the potential to provide support for humanitarian operations during times of emergencies.

image-20240514123752-4

Source: http://www.exway.rda.gov.lk/index.php?page=expressway_network/e06

Port Security

At HIP, port security is carried out in keeping with stipulations laid down by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code introduced in 2002 as part of the Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) convention. The port is well-secured with its own security personnel supported by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and the Sri Lanka Police. The SL Navy exclusively handles seaward security and maintains three Rapid Deployment Teams and a Naval Base within the port. They are responsible for implementing all aspects of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), with their office located in the Port Facilities Building. Security personnel are deployed at all port entry and exit points, conducting checks and issuing necessary permits. Personal security checks involve body checks, national ID verification, and bag inspections for visitors, while vehicles undergo thorough inspections upon entry.

Security

ISPS Compliant

Yes

Current ISPS Level
(Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional)

1

Police Boats

Yes

Fire Engines

Yes