Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Terminals and CMA CGM have signed a Terminal Service Agreement aimed at strengthening business collaboration and attracting increased container volumes to the Port of Colombo.
The agreement was formalised at a signing ceremony attended by senior representatives from both organisations.
SLPA was represented by Admiral Sirimewan Ranasinghe (Rtd), Chairman, Eng. Ganaka Hemachandra, Managing Director, and U. Kumara, Director – Marketing and Business Development, along with other senior officials.
Representatives from CMA CGM and its local partner Hayleys Advantis were also present, including Shano Sabar, Deputy Managing Director and Chairman of CASA, Eric van den Driesen, Country General Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Pasan Periyapperuma, Head of Operations, and Romesh Nugera, Assistant Manager – Operations.
Headquartered in Marseille, France, CMA CGM is one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, operating a fleet of more than 650 vessels across over 160 countries.
The group provides container shipping, freight forwarding, and integrated logistics services, and maintains a long-standing presence in Sri Lanka through its partnership with Hayleys PLC.
Its service network connects Colombo with major international markets across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia, supporting both direct trade and transhipment cargo flows.
The Terminal Service Agreement establishes a formal framework governing operational and commercial cooperation between SLPA Terminals and CMA CGM.
It covers areas such as vessel call scheduling, cargo handling coordination, and efficiency improvements, with the objective of supporting higher container throughput and more reliable port operations.
CMA CGM’s global experience in shipping and terminal management is expected to contribute to enhanced service performance at Colombo.
The agreement forms part of SLPA’s broader strategy to strengthen port services and attract leading international shipping lines.
As a key deep-water port in the region, Colombo plays a central role in transhipment and regional maritime trade. SLPA said the partnership with CMA CGM is intended to further consolidate the port’s service capabilities and support its continued growth as a major maritime gateway.
