Hambantota International Port (HIP) handled the delivery of 167,569 vehicles between March 2025 and September 2026, as its operator, Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), worked with vehicle importers to manage rising demand and disruptions to vehicle movements.

Of the total, 86,389 vehicles were delivered between March and December 2025, comprising 30,809 brand-new vehicles and 55,580 used vehicles. A further 81,180 vehicles were delivered during the first nine months of 2026, including 25,018 brand-new vehicles and 56,162 used vehicles.

The Vehicle Importers’ Association of Lanka (VIAL), which represents more than 450 members across the country, has commended HIPG for its operational flexibility and support in addressing challenges faced by the vehicle-importing industry.

The collaboration has included measures to facilitate cargo clearance and ease financial pressures on importers during periods of exceptional market conditions.

During vehicle import restrictions, HIPG granted demurrage waivers and concessions to customers whose vehicles remained at the port for extended periods. More recently, disruptions to vehicle transhipment through the Gulf region prompted the introduction of a storage-cap mechanism to help affected customers manage costs and improve cost predictability.

HIPG Chief Executive Officer Wilson Qu said close engagement with VIAL had enabled the port to respond more effectively to changing market conditions.

“Meeting increased demand requires more than handling capacity. It requires a close understanding of our customers’ operational needs and the ability to respond when conditions change,” he said, adding that the partnership supported efficient vehicle handling and continuity in customers’ supply chains.

Bindu Ranasinghe, General Manager – Commercial and Marketing at HIPG, said the port had worked closely with the association to identify operational challenges and introduce timely solutions.

The measures, including concessions for vehicles held during import restrictions and the storage cap introduced amid transhipment disruptions, were intended to help customers manage costs while maintaining the efficient movement of cargo, he said.

Ranasinghe added that HIPG was seeking to build long-term relationships with customers by responding to their operational requirements and earning their trust.

VIAL President Sampath Merenchige said the port had been responsive to challenges arising from increased demand and unexpected disruptions to vehicle movements. The association valued HIPG’s willingness to provide operational solutions and introduce measures to help importers manage costs, he said.

VIAL represents established companies as well as micro, small and medium-sized enterprises involved in vehicle imports and related support services. It also engages with Sri Lanka Customs, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, the Department of Motor Traffic, the Police and other institutions on regulatory and operational issues affecting the sector.

The association’s broad membership provides HIPG with a channel to identify challenges across the vehicle-importing industry and develop responses aimed at facilitating cargo movement and supporting importers