Sri Lanka, Oct. 22 -- Cargo volumes at Hambantota International Port (HIP) have surged by 151 percent year-on-year, with throughput reaching 6,028,493 metric tons by September 2025 compared to 2,397,971 metric tons in the same period last year. This was achieved despite operational challenges triggered by lifting the ban on local vehicle imports.

With the lifting of import restrictions, we experienced elevated congestion and clearance delays-straining yard space, equipment, and workflow. To counter these pressures, the Operations Department optimised yard allocation, rebalanced container flows, and adjusted stacking strategies to maximise capacity without compromising safety or efficiency.

Supporting these efforts, management ramped up ...