Port Guide · Asia — South

Bunkering at Colombo

Colombo sits on the main east-west sea route between Southeast Asia and the Red Sea/Suez (or around the Cape), making it a natural bunker stop for vessels on these trades. Its rise has been aided by South Asian container transshipment growth and investments in terminal infrastructure.

Key Port Facts

UN/LOCODE
LKCMB
Coordinates
6.94°N, 79.85°E
Timezone
UTC+5:30
Volume
~1 million tonnes
Global Rank
#17
Port Authority

Sri Lanka Ports Authority

Fuel Grades Available at Colombo

Seven Ocean procures the following marine fuel grades at Colombo. Click any grade for full technical specifications.

Delivery Methods

Primary Anchorages

Colombo outer anchorage, port berths

Port Detail

Strategic location

Colombo is among the most densely trafficked waypoints on the east-west trunk route. Many mainline services call for cargo; bunkering demand follows naturally. The port also serves Indian subcontinent transshipment.

Market structure

A few major suppliers operate; product is imported because Sri Lanka has no large refining capacity. Quality control standards are reasonable but vessels frequently specify independent survey for larger stems.

Fuels

VLSFO and HSFO are standard; LSMGO available for auxiliary use.

Operational notes

Monsoon seasons (May-September southwest, October-January northeast) can disrupt anchorage operations. Nomination lead time typically 3-5 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colombo a good alternative to Singapore for Asia-Europe routes?

For vessels routing Cape, yes — Colombo is geographically well-placed. For vessels still using Suez (when available), Singapore remains the usual choice because of scale and reliability.

What about Hambantota?

Hambantota is a newer port on Sri Lanka's south coast; its bunker market is developing but much smaller than Colombo's. For most international vessels, Colombo remains the default.

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