Logistics Alert: Container Transport Charges Surge 20% Overnight

The domestic logistics landscape faced a sharp shift at midnight yesterday as the Container Transport Owners’ Association (CTOA) officially increased import and export haulage charges by 20%. Association Chairman Sanath Manjula confirmed the decision was unavoidable following the third fuel price hike this month. This adjustment is a collective move by all executive committees operating at the Port of Colombo to ensure the continued survival of the transport sector.

The impact for exporters goes beyond the base rate. With port clearance now taking 4–5 days due to fuel-related delays, detention fees are reaching nearly Rs. 75,000 per container. Industry experts warn that when combining fuel price spikes with these detention surcharges, total haulage costs could see a staggering increase of 350% to 400%. This is a “Modern Canvas” of crisis that requires immediate government intervention to expedite port clearance and minimize fuel wastage in queues.

Source:The Morning – Container transport charges to rise 20% – March 23, 2026