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HIP is the latest addition to Sri Lankas network of harbours, currently being developed in different parts of the island. The expansion is an initiative of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), to take advantage of the nations geographic positioning and the growing demand for more capacity in the region. Situated on the southern part of the island, HIP is amultipurposeport, 16 nautical miles from the main sea lane connecting east and west, ideally positioned to become the gateway to the sub-continent.
The port is operated by Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS), two companies formed under the Public Private Partnership entered into between SLPA and global port operator CMPort. One year after HIP came under its new management, the port doubled its ro-robusiness, with a 136% increase in the volume of ro-ro vessels handled. The port has since diversified its services to include other port-related activities such as container handling, general cargo, passenger, bunkering, bulk terminal, gas and project cargo. HIPG has signed TSAs with several leading shipping lines and is well on the way to becoming one of...