Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has signed a new Terminal Service Agreement (TSA) with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), formalizing operational arrangements for the carrier’s calls at the Port of Colombo and reaffirming MSC as the port’s largest volume contributor, according to Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s statement.
The agreement, announced by SLPA on 9 December, is described by both sides as a “practical step” aimed at improving operational clarity, service efficiency and capacity planning to support expected increases in throughput.
SLPA-operated terminals handled a record 2.41 million TEU in 2024, while total Port of Colombo throughput reached 7.78 million TEU, supported by private operators South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) and Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT). The port authority linked these results to ongoing works at the Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT) and development of the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT).
SLPA highlighted operational progress in November, when second-berth pre-test operations at CECT enabled the simultaneous berthing of the MSC CHINA and the MSC MANASA F, with the authority stating that the berth will allow concurrent handling of multiple large vessels.
MSC is a privately owned international shipping group headquartered in Geneva and established in 1970. It operates a global container fleet serving hundreds of trade routes and ports and engages in maritime transport and related logistics activities.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority is a statutory body created under the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Act of 1979. It administers and manages major commercial ports in Sri Lanka and oversees both state-run and privately operated container terminals within its remit.