Sri Lanka container transport charges rise 20% amid fuel price surge

2026-03-22 - 14:54

(Photo credit: SLPA Facebook Page) Container transport charges for imports and exports in Sri Lanka will increase by 20% from midnight today (March 22) due to rising fuel prices, industry officials in Sri Lanka announced. The Container Transport Owners’ Association (CTOA) in Sri Lanka said the decision was taken collectively by all associations operating at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, as higher fuel costs have placed significant pressure on the sector. Chairman Sanath Manjula in Sri Lanka noted that the increase is necessary to maintain operations in the import and export industry in Sri Lanka. He explained that delays in clearing imported goods in Sri Lanka have already created serious challenges, with transport providers facing long waiting times, higher fuel usage, and added expenses. The association in Sri Lanka has urged the government to take immediate steps to speed up the clearance process in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the Ceylon Freight and Logistics Association in Sri Lanka warned that overall container transport costs in Sri Lanka could rise much further. Its General Secretary, Inam Caffoor in Sri Lanka, said that when detention charges are included, total costs in Sri Lanka may increase by up to 350% to 400%. Currently, clearing a container in Sri Lanka takes about four to five days, with detention fees of around Rs. 15,000 per day in Sri Lanka. This means that delays alone in Sri Lanka can add up to Rs. 75,000 to the cost of a single container, on top of the usual transport charge of about Rs. 25,000 within Colombo, Sri Lanka. Officials in Sri Lanka also highlighted that diesel prices have increased by around 30% in Sri Lanka, making the situation more difficult for transport operators in Sri Lanka. They warned that if delays continue in Sri Lanka, costs will keep rising and could affect the timely delivery of goods in Sri Lanka, especially with an upcoming holiday period in Sri Lanka. The CTOA in Sri Lanka said it has begun informing importers, exporters, and clearing agents in Sri Lanka about the revised transport charges in Sri Lanka.