INSEE Cement starts shipments into Hambantota International Port

Hambantota International Port has begun taking cement industry shipments in Sri Lanka, extending its bulk handling capabilities. INSEE Cement became the first cement producer to use the facilities at the port by unloading the Ithaca Patience, which discharged 27,150t of slag cargo.

"The advantage of bringing in bigger ships provides economy of scale, and the efficiency with high productivity levels has made Hambantota Port the preferred option for the cement industry operating in the south," said Tissa Wickramasinghe, chief operating officer of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG).

Thusith Gunawarnasuriya, director of procurement and logistics, INSEE Cement, said that he would be looking at monthly or even bi-monthly shipments to Hambantota International Port to cater to the recently expanded INSEE cement manufacturing capacity in the island's south.

Hambantota International Port offers a deeper draught to handle large bulk carriers. INSEE had been operating through the Colombo, Trincomalee and Galle ports previously.