<p data-path-to-node="2" id="p-rc_14d3ec49f503acf4-448"><span data-path-to-node="2,0"><b data-path-to-node="2,0" data-index-in-node="0">COLOMBO —</b> In an aggressive commercial policy intervention designed to safeguard its transshipment market leadership across the Indian Ocean rim and head off escalating competition from mainland Indian deepwater gateways, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has officially ratified and notified an enforceable, performance-linked tiered feeder tariff rebate schedule across all operational facilities at the Port of Colombo</span><span data-path-to-node="2,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="2,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="3" id="p-rc_14d3ec49f503acf4-449"><span data-path-to-node="3,0">The multi-terminal incentive framework—enacted across SLPA-operated public facilities, including the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) and East Container Terminal (ECT), and synchronized across private deepwater concessions South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT), and the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT)—introduces aggressive, volume-indexed concessions on marine vessel dues, pilotage tariffs, and quayside container handshakes</span><span data-path-to-node="3,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="3,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_14d3ec49f503acf4-450"><span data-path-to-node="4,0">Historically, transshipment payloads moving to and from the Indian Subcontinent have comprised between 70% and 80% of Colombo’s total container throughput, with high-cadence short-sea feeder shuttles channeling cargo from secondary and primary coastal gateways including Chennai, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, Kolkata, and Chittagong</span><span data-path-to-node="4,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,2">. However, the operational scaling of southern Indian deepwater alternative gateways—most prominently the full-scale commercial ramp-up of Adani’s deepwater transshipment hub at Vizhinjam alongside expanded direct calling berths along the Indian seaboard—has placed Colombo under sustained competitive pressure to defend its regional relay volumes and retain established mainline alliance loops</span><span data-path-to-node="4,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="5">To reinforce Colombo’s landed-cost advantage and disincentivize international ocean carriers from altering established hub-and-spoke networks, the SLPA’s newly formalized tariff structure establishes clear financial and operational incentives:</p><ul data-path-to-node="6"><li><p data-path-to-node="6,0,0" id="p-rc_14d3ec49f503acf4-451"><span data-path-to-node="6,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Progressive Marine Dues Discounts:</b> Regional short-sea feeder operators maintaining guaranteed fixed-day weekly rotations linking Colombo with secondary ports across India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka qualify for tiered rebates ranging from 10% to 18% on baseline gross tonnage (GT) port entry dues, navigation fees, and tug assistance charges</span><span data-path-to-node="6,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,0,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="6,1,0" id="p-rc_14d3ec49f503acf4-452"><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Volume-Linked Composite Rebate Tiers:</b> Feeder vessels delivering consolidated transshipment parcels exceeding 1,200 TEUs per single port call receive a direct 6% to 8% discount applied against baseline composite transshipment container handling charges (THC)</span><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="6,2,0" id="p-rc_14d3ec49f503acf4-453"><span data-path-to-node="6,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Berthing Window &amp; Turnaround Premiums:</b> Feeder operators that adhere strictly to assigned berthing windows and complete quayside loading and discharge operations within 18 hours are granted prioritized pilot boarding on departure, alongside a complete waiver of standby pilotage overheads, expediting vessel turns back into South Asian feeder fairways</span><span data-path-to-node="6,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="6,3,0" id="p-rc_14d3ec49f503acf4-454"><span data-path-to-node="6,3,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,3,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Reefer &amp; Perishable Transshipment Subsidies:</b> Dedicated concessions have been introduced for refrigerated container monitoring and auxiliary power consumption, lowering operating overheads for feeder carriers transporting marine catch, seasonal horticulture, and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical exports originating out of India and Bangladesh</span><span data-path-to-node="6,3,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,3,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="7" id="p-rc_14d3ec49f503acf4-455"><span data-path-to-node="7,0">The financial relief matrix is integrated directly into the Port of Colombo’s cloud-based Smart Port Community System (PCS)</span><span data-path-to-node="7,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,2">. By eliminating manual rebate claims and paper-based reconciliation cycles, the digital PCS automatically tabulates incentive credits using vessel stowage manifests, automatic optical character recognition (OCR) crane logs, and gate telemetry</span><span data-path-to-node="7,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,4">. Rebates are disbursed dynamically as automated billing credits credited to the feeder carrier’s electronic port user account within 48 hours of vessel departure</span><span data-path-to-node="7,5"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,6">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="8" id="p-rc_14d3ec49f503acf4-456"><span data-path-to-node="8,0">Furthermore, the commercial incentive program works in tandem with active landside infrastructure enhancements across the harbor, including automated gate clearing complexes and the dual-track Inter-Terminal Rail Link (ITRL)</span><span data-path-to-node="8,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,2">. These upgrades ensure that bonded transshipment containers moving between public feeder berths and private deepwater mainline docks transfer without urban highway friction or costly inter-terminal dwell delays</span><span data-path-to-node="8,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="9" id="p-rc_14d3ec49f503acf4-457"><span data-path-to-node="9,0">Addressing shipping line executives, terminal directors, and the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) at the SLPA administrative complex in Colombo, port leadership emphasized that commercial value and rapid terminal velocity must work hand-in-hand to preserve transshipment dominance</span><span data-path-to-node="9,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,2">. Port officials affirmed that formalizing long-term feeder tariff discounts neutralizes landed unit-cost differentials, ensuring that international mainline shipping alliances continue to anchor their high-capacity East–West loops around Colombo as their primary South Asian transshipment crossroads</span><span data-path-to-node="9,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,4">.</span></p>