Hambantota International Port welcomed the first oil tanker

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Hambantota International Port (HIP) commenced Bunkering services at the 1.5-billion-dollar worth on Friday (03 April) after an oil tanker berthed at the port to discharge fuel.

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka on its Twitter handle addressed Liberian oil tanker ‘Melody’, became the first vessel of its kind, to reach at the Hambantota Port.

“HIP made its first step towards lifting the port an important bunkering hub in South Asia,” the tweet read.

The Hambantota Port is located 10 nautical miles from the global trade route and any calling or passing vessel is now able to receive professional bunkering services effectively, saving time and cost. The port is one of the first to have low sulfur fuel as per the IMO 2020 directives.

HIP’s partner Sinopec will be committed to supplying low sulfur fuel oil. HIP and Sinopec today commenced its first steps towards making the Hambantota International Port a bunkering hub in South Asia

Details published on the website of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority show that the port is prepared with eight tanks holding a total capacity of 51,000 cubic metres for bunkering services.

Hong Kong based China Merchants Port Holdings holds a 70 percent stake in a joint venture with Sri Lanka Ports Authority, in managing the port.

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