Hyundai Glovis to call at MRMR Port

The pioneering call of Hyundai Glovis's vehicle carrier at the Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa (MRMR) port in Hambantota will kick-start the operational capabilities of this yet untested port and dispel any myths that it is not a viable port for commercial vessels. The MRMR port is to be one of the leading hub ports in the region, which is becoming a reality with the interest and potential shown by various principals.

The vessel “Asian Sun” of Hyundai Glovis

Hyundai Glovis Co. Ltd., the car carrier represented in Sri Lanka by Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd., a subsidiary of Aitken Spence PLC, was the first shipping line to explore the viability of transshipping automobiles via (MRMR) Port. The vessel 'Asian Sun' of Hyundai Glovis arrived at the MRMR Port, Hambantota on Wednesday to discharge approximately 1,000 units of Hyundai automobiles.

The management of Aitken Spence Shipping convinced their principal Ms. Hyundai Glovis to use the MRMR port as their transshipment hub, due to its many attributes such as location, deep draft and large yard capable of storing over 10,000 vehicles.

Hyundai Glovis's initial plan is for their vessel to discharge 1,000 Hyundai vehicles, manufactured at the Hyundai Motors Chennai plant, via the port of Hambantota en route to Europe and Africa and several other destinations.

The vehicles will be stored at the port's vehicle yard until the next Hyundai Glovis's car carrier, 'Asian Legend' arrives at the Port on June 17 to load these transshipment units.

The volume of Hyundai transshipment vehicles is expected to grow substantially with three to four vehicle carriers expected to call each month. Hyundai Glovis is one of the world's leading vehicle carriers having a fleet of 30 PCTC vessels serving destinations in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa.

They also offer logistics services and conduct one of the largest vehicle auctions in Korea.