SLPA Terminals and CMA CGM recently signed a Terminal Service Agreement aimed at enhancing business collaboration and attracting greater container volumes to the Port of Colombo. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both organisations, including Admiral Sirimewan Ranasinghe (Rtd), Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Eng. Ganaka Hemachandra, Managing Director, and Mr. U. Kumara, Director – Marketing & Business Development, along with other senior officers from SLPA. Representatives from CMA CGM and its local partner Hayleys Advantis were also present, including Mr Shano Sabar, Deputy Managing Director and Chairman of CASA, Mr Eric van den Driesen, Country General Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Mr Pasan Periyapperuma, Head of Operations, and Mr Romesh Nugera, Assistant Manager – Operations.
CMA CGM, headquartered in Marseille, France, is one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, operating over 650 vessels across more than 160 countries. The company provides container shipping, freight forwarding, and integrated logistics services, and maintains a presence in Sri Lanka through its local operations in partnership with Hayleys PLC. Its services connect Colombo to a broad range of international markets across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia, supporting both direct trade flows and transhipment operations.
The Terminal Service Agreement formalises the operational and commercial arrangements between SLPA Terminals and CMA CGM. It provides a framework for scheduling vessel calls, coordinating cargo handling, and improving overall efficiency at the port. CMA CGM’s global experience in shipping and terminal operations is expected to support enhanced service management and facilitate the handling of higher container volumes through Colombo.
The agreement is part of ongoing efforts by SLPA to strengthen port services and attract international shipping lines. Colombo continues to function as a key deep-water port in the region, serving as a hub for transhipment and regional maritime trade. The signing of the Terminal Service Agreement with CMA CGM is intended to consolidate the port’s service capabilities and support its continued growth as a major maritime gateway.
