The economic impact of port operation at Port of Hambantota on regional development & industries (Hinterland)

Abstract

Port of Hambantota is the second largest port in Sri Lanka, which is located 10 nautical miles away from the international east-west maritime route at a key advantage. One of the main objectives of port of Hambantota is to develop as a transshipment hub in the South-Asia region. Ro-Ro operation, bulk operation, and bunkering operation are currently handled at port of Hambantota. This research study aims to identify the economic impacts of the port of Hambantota on regional development and dispersion or location of industries of its Hambantota port hinterland. The objectives are, calculate the number of job opportunities and expenditure who are involving direct and indirect employees at port of Hambantota, study what industries are developing in the future, and forecast the future ro-ro operation. Survey-based method and secondary data are collecting and used the descriptive analysis as the methodology of research. The research findings are, under the direct, indirect, and induced impacts, found the number of job opportunities and expenditure for them. According to past data analysis, future vessel arrivals and cargo handling capacity can be increased with expanding future hinterland operation around the port of Hambantota.