The United States will fund a US$ 17 million project to digitise operations at the Port of Colombo, the US Embassy in Colombo said on Friday.
The project, run with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), will set up a Maritime Single Window and a Port Community System. Shipping companies, Customs, immigration authorities, port operators and businesses will be able to exchange information electronically.
The embassy said the systems aim to cut paperwork, speed up cargo movement and reduce shipping delays and costs. For Sri Lankan traders, faster port processing can mean lower costs for importers and exporters.
US Ambassador Eric Meyer said more than 500,000 containers carrying US inbound and outbound cargo pass through the port each year. The embassy said the port handles an estimated US$ 30 billion in US-related cargo annually.
Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka said modernising port operations is essential to keeping Colombo’s position as a regional maritime hub. SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake welcomed the project.
The embassy said an open and competitive selection process will be held to appoint an implementing partner.
