Japanese shipping line NYK’s Azalea Leader, a new-generation LNG dual-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carrier, made its maiden call at Hambantota International Port (HIP) in August, EconomyNext reported.
The nearly 200-metre vessel, built in 2026 and sailing under the Liberian flag, arrived from Singapore carrying 4,810 vehicles for transhipment and a further 47 units for discharge in Sri Lanka. Its maximum capacity is 7,000 units.
NYK runs regular services connecting Singapore and Hambantota, with the Azalea Leader assigned to the route for this voyage, Hiru News reported. The call comes as vehicle volumes routed through Hambantota to Middle Eastern markets have grown.
Lower-emission tonnage
The ship is powered by LNG dual-fuel technology and fitted with Exhaust Gas Recirculation on its main engine to cut nitrogen oxide emissions — part of a wider industry shift toward more efficient, lower-emission vessels.
HIPG chief executive Wilson Qu said the call mattered because shipping lines are increasingly routing their newest vessels through the port.
“It demonstrates the pivotal role HIP is developing in the regional RoRo sector and showcases the potential of the port as automotive volumes moving through Hambantota continue to grow,” he said in a statement.
Qu added that handling a vessel of this generation reflected the port’s operational capability. “Customers need the assurance that a sophisticated vessel will be handled efficiently, safely and without unnecessary idle time,” he said, describing the decision to bring modern tonnage to Hambantota as a reflection of “our people, systems and infrastructure.”
Hambantota has been positioning itself as a regional automotive transhipment gateway, with roll-on/roll-off traffic among the cargo segments it has sought to build.
