Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) said it discharged a record 2,241-tonne Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) consignment from the heavy-lift vessel Da Xiang in a specially planned midnight operation, the largest single project-cargo handling in the terminal’s history.
The shipment comprised 54 battery units of 41.5 tonnes each, sized as 20-foot containers, EconomyNext reported. The Da Xiang is operated by COSCO Shipping, which has carried multiple BESS consignments to Colombo this year. Two quay cranes, sixteen prime movers and two reach stackers were deployed for the vessel-to-stack transfer; two Rubber Tyred Gantries on standby were not used because the load exceeded their handling capacity.
The 54 units form part of the 16-substation, 160MW national BESS rollout that began arriving at Sri Lankan ports last month. Sites include Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Polonnaruwa, Valachchenai, Ampara, Vavunathivu, Monaragala, Mahiyanganaya, Chunnakam, Beliatta, Galle, Puttalam, Hambantota, Old Anuradhapura, Mahawa and Norochcholai. The programme is designed to firm the grid for higher renewable penetration as the country targets 70 percent renewable generation by 2030.
“The successful handling of this 2,241-tonne battery energy storage shipment demonstrates CICT’s capability to manage highly specialised project cargoes that require meticulous planning, technical expertise and uncompromising safety standards,” CICT Chief Executive Officer Jan Zhang said in the terminal’s release. “As Sri Lanka accelerates investments in renewable energy and grid modernisation, ports will play a critical role in enabling the timely delivery of strategic infrastructure.”
The cargo follows the first 20MW component shipment to Galle and Matara substations on May 28 and the second 80MW batch unloaded in Colombo on May 31. CICT also handled the record 15,113-TEU MSC INGY call earlier this quarter, the largest single-vessel container call at a Sri Lankan port to date.
