Sri Lanka, July 28 -- Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) has clarified its vehicle storage policy following recent media reports, stressing that the Port's priority is the efficient movement of cargo rather than generating revenue through storage charges, as vehicle handling volumes continue to grow.

HIPG said the Port currently accommodates more than 50,000 vehicles, including both transhipment cargo and locally imported vehicles. However, only 1,278 vehicles have remained in the yard for more than three months, while 581 vehicles have been stored for over a year. All of these long-term vehicles belong to the local import sector.

According to the Port, around 400 of the 581 vehicles had been imported before Sri Lanka resumed ve...