<p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_3d7414e776d5a14d-218"><span data-path-to-node="4,0"><b data-path-to-node="4,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span class="citation-385">HAMBANTOTA</span></b><span class="citation-385"> — In a major development designed to consolidate its footprint as the Indian Ocean’s leading deepwater automotive transshipment node, Hambantota International Port (HIP) has officially commissioned an advanced, fully integrated Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Terminal Yard Management System (T-YMS)</span></span><span data-path-to-node="4,1"><span class="citation-385 citation-end-385"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="4"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="4,2">. </span><span data-path-to-node="4,3"><span class="citation-384"></span></span><span data-path-to-node="4,4">The infrastructure upgrade and modernized operational protocol are engineered to manage skyrocketing vehicle transshipment volumes moving along East-West maritime shipping lanes between East Asian automotive manufacturing hubs, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe</span><span data-path-to-node="4,5"><span class="citation-384 citation-end-384"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="5"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="4,6">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><h4 data-path-to-node="5"><b>Dual-Berth Ultra-Large PCTC Operations</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="6" id="p-rc_3d7414e776d5a14d-219"><span data-path-to-node="6,0"><span class="citation-383"></span></span><span data-path-to-node="6,1">Supported by deep natural draft berths exceeding 17 meters, the expanded terminal footprint allows Hambantota to simultaneously berth and service two Ultra-Large Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs)—each capable of carrying upwards of 8,500 CEU (Car Equivalent Units)</span><span data-path-to-node="6,2"><span class="citation-383 citation-end-383"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="6"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="6,3">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="7">Key operational capabilities introduced in this phase include:</p><ul data-path-to-node="8"><li><p data-path-to-node="8,0,0"><span class="citation-382"></span></p><p data-path-to-node="8,0,1" id="p-rc_3d7414e776d5a14d-220"><span data-path-to-node="8,0,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="8,0,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span class="citation-382">Automated Yard Staging &amp; Dispatch:</span></b><span class="citation-382"> Real-time digital vehicle allocation using high-precision RFID and barcode scanning, directing ramp drivers to assigned parking bays with zero yard search latency</span></span><span data-path-to-node="8,0,1,1"><span class="citation-382 citation-end-382"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="7"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="8,0,1,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="8,1,0"><span class="citation-381"></span></p><p data-path-to-node="8,1,1" id="p-rc_3d7414e776d5a14d-221"><span data-path-to-node="8,1,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="8,1,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span class="citation-381">Sub-18-Hour Vessel Turnaround Times:</span></b><span class="citation-381"> Streamlined twin-ramp discharge procedures that slash average deep-sea vessel port dwell times from 28 hours to under 18 hours</span></span><span data-path-to-node="8,1,1,1"><span class="citation-381 citation-end-381"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="8"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="8,1,1,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="8,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="8,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Dedicated High-Capacity EV Charging Grid:</b> Infrastructure capable of trickle-charging up to 1,200 electric vehicles (EVs) concurrently prior to onward transshipment, preventing battery degradation during extended maritime transit.</p></li></ul><h4 data-path-to-node="9"><b>Securing the East Asia–Europe–Africa Trade Nexus</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="10" id="p-rc_3d7414e776d5a14d-222"><span data-path-to-node="10,0"><span class="citation-380"></span></span><span data-path-to-node="10,1">Hambantota’s geographic proximity—located just 10 nautical miles off the main East-West international sea lane—provides ocean automotive carriers with significant fuel and transit-time savings compared to detouring to other regional ports</span><span data-path-to-node="10,2"><span class="citation-380 citation-end-380"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="9"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="10,3">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="11">The modernized Ro-Ro terminal directly handles high-volume transit flows from major automotive manufacturing plants across:</p><ul data-path-to-node="12"><li><p data-path-to-node="12,0,0"><span class="citation-379"></span></p><p data-path-to-node="12,0,1" id="p-rc_3d7414e776d5a14d-223"><span data-path-to-node="12,0,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="12,0,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span class="citation-379">East Asia:</span></b><span class="citation-379"> Processing finished passenger vehicles, electric automobiles, and heavy commercial machinery originating in Japan, South Korea, and China</span></span><span data-path-to-node="12,0,1,1"><span class="citation-379 citation-end-379"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="10"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="12,0,1,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="12,1,0"><span class="citation-378"></span></p><p data-path-to-node="12,1,1" id="p-rc_3d7414e776d5a14d-224"><span data-path-to-node="12,1,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="12,1,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span class="citation-378">Destination Gateways in Africa &amp; the Middle East:</span></b><span class="citation-378"> Facilitating rapid multi-market distribution into East and South African ports (such as Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, and Durban) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) distribution terminals</span></span><span data-path-to-node="12,1,1,1"><span class="citation-378 citation-end-378"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="11"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="12,1,1,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="12,2,0"><span class="citation-377"></span></p><p data-path-to-node="12,2,1" id="p-rc_3d7414e776d5a14d-225"><span data-path-to-node="12,2,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="12,2,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span class="citation-377">European Consumer Markets:</span></b><span class="citation-377"> Acting as an intermediate buffer yard for European-bound automotive consignments adjusting to canal routing schedules</span></span><span data-path-to-node="12,2,1,1"><span class="citation-377 citation-end-377"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="12"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="12,2,1,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><h4 data-path-to-node="13"><b>Expanded Value-Added Automotive Services</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="14">Beyond direct transshipment, the upgraded yard framework integrates a 40,000-square-meter bonded Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) and vehicle customization zone. Global automotive manufacturers can now execute minor assembly modifications, accessory installations, and localized software flashes within the port's bonded perimeter prior to final market dispatch.</p><p data-path-to-node="15" id="p-rc_3d7414e776d5a14d-226"><span data-path-to-node="15,0"><span class="citation-376"></span></span><span data-path-to-node="15,1">Port management confirmed that with these automated processing capabilities, Hambantota International Port is well on track to surpass 1 million transshipped vehicles annually, reinforcing Sri Lanka's pivotal role in global maritime logistics</span><span data-path-to-node="15,2"><span class="citation-376 citation-end-376"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="13"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="15,3">.</span></p>