Home Market HIP launches major drive to promote used vehicles transshipment

HIP launches major drive to promote used vehicles transshipment

  • 12 Sep 2022
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The marketing team of the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) visited Japan recently to increase awareness and aggressively market services offered by the Hambantota International Port (HIP), especially RORO which is currently the core business of the port. 



The HIPG team also met with the Sri Lanka Automobile Association in Japan (SLAAJ) and Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association (JUMVEA) to promote HIP as an ideal transshipment hub.



The leading used vehicle exporters opened up opportunities for the team to meet with Japan’s foreign ministry officials and other higher ups.  The team met with Yokohama Port president Shinsuke Itoh and explored the opportunities for collaborating for RORO Operations and related matters.    



The port’s RORO business has expanded rapidly in the last few years owing to the highly efficient services the port provides and its direct engagement with shipping lines to bring in RORO cargo for transshipment via the port. 



The team met with five shipping lines including the three major shipping lines engaged in RORO business, and discussed current business conditions, potential of HIP for RORO operations and the port’s future plans.



They also had discussions with used car exporters who showed interest in transshipment via HIP. In light of current challenges faced by RORO operators, the HIP team was able to drive home the advantages and benefits of transshipping via the port.



Tissa Wickramasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of HIPG said the primary objective of the tour was to expand the business avenues and the used car exporter segment was one such.  “We have observed the large numbers of vehicles being exported from Japan to Africa and the Middle East and wanted HIP to look for opportunities in this area”, he said.



He said the port has the advantage of having a large acreage of parking areas, which is unavailable in many other countries.  “This was a key point of attraction to the exporters and we are now exploring other opportunities to carry out Value Added Services at the port.” 



Also, another new area of business that was discussed in detail was the availability of bunkering services for Ships passing Hambantota. “HIP will pursue this new business opportunity with our strategic partner Sinopec Fuel Oil Lanka, and bring in more USD revenue to the country”.



“Our target is to increase the port’s transshipment volumes, taking advantage of its strategic location, high productivity and the quality of service offered,” the COO added.

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