Shipping lines are refusing to allow four of their ships carrying a cargo of some 2,000 cars to be diverted from the port of Colombo to the port of Hambantota for unloading. The ships are anchored in the Colombo outer harbour, as the Sri Lanka Ports Authority seeks advice from the Attorney-General’s Department on how to resolve the deadlock.
The Sunday Times learns that the shipping lines are objecting to the move on the grounds that Colombo is given as the port of discharge on the shipping documents, and because travelling to another destination would involve further expenses.
The four ships are anchored in the Colombo outer harbour as congestion in the port is preventing the vehicles from being unloaded. Meanwhile, the delay has raised the ire of car importers. It is understood that some vehicle importers are reluctant to clear their cargo following the sudden increase of taxes on vehicles, effective from April 1.
“We are not against the decision to unload cars at Hambantota,” Vehicle Importers’ Association of Lanka president Sampath Merenchige told the Sunday Times, “but the government should first clear the congestion in Colombo.”
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