## Company Profile FREIGHTPLAN (PVT) LTD — Sri Lanka freight forwarder. Lead contact: Gihan Nanayakkara (Chairman / MD). Listed as a member of the Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders Association (SLFFA). Public online footprint is limited; the lead record references sasholdings.com as a corporate site. As a domestic forwarder it likely provides core services: ocean and air forwarding, customs clearance/brokerage, warehousing, inland transport and project cargo handling for Sri Lankan exporters and importers. No reliable public revenue or employee‑count data was found in the available sources. ## Pain Points 1) Rising freight costs and route unreliability from ongoing Red Sea diversions (2024–26) are eroding margins for Freightplan’s exporter customers (apparel, tea, seafood, spices) and complicating contract fulfilment. 2) Surge in transshipment volumes at Colombo (and rapid Hambantota expansion) is creating equipment imbalances, yard congestion and terminal inefficiencies that increase detention/demurrage risk and delay reefers. Freightplan’s clients need reliable booking & refrigerated equipment assurance. 3) Exporters are pivoting to value‑added products and new markets (coconut value products, spice blends, premium tea) while facing stricter buyer compliance and payment risks; they need faster market access and buyer‑matching plus end‑to‑end execution to convert new leads into shipped orders. ## Intel Summary === MULTI-DIMENSION RESEARCH === === MARKET EVENTS (Sri Lanka trade flows, Colombo & Hambantota ports, 2026 context) === 1) Colombo Port – throughput and transshipment dynamics - Record 2025 volumes: Colombo handled about **8.29 million TEU in 2025**, its highest on record, up from **7.79 million TEU in 2024** (+6.4% YoY), consolidating its position as the leading container hub in South Asia. ([english.news.cn](https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20260102/19d9f5afca2f4222b5027fc361f7f161/c.html?utm_source=openai)) - Medium‑term growth: 5‑year growth in container volumes (2020–2025) is cited around **+20–21%**, bringing Colombo into the **global top‑25** ports and handling roughly **0.8% of global container traffic** – far above Sri Lanka’s ~0.05% share of global trade, underlining its role as a transshipment hub. ([echelon.lk](https://echelon.lk/how-to-reverse-the-decline-of-colombo-port?utm_source=openai)) - 2025 breakdown: A South Asia container market report indicates **total throughput 8.29m TEU in 2025**, with **transshipment volumes ~5.52m TEU**, up **+5.1% YoY** from 5.25m TEU in 2024; local/“gateway” containers grew faster, helping lift overall throughput. ([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) 2) 2026 YTD performance – early acceleration - Jan–Apr 2026: The Port of Colombo handled **2.92 million TEU** in the first four months of 2026, up **13.9%** (an extra 355,000 TEU) versus the same period in 2025 (2.56m TEU). April 2026 alone saw **22% YoY** growth in container throughput. ([ft.lk](https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Colombo-Port-records-22-growth-in-container-throughput-in-April/44-791703?utm_source=openai)) - Drivers: Local (import/export) volumes remain strong; transshipment stays the dominant segment, supported by mainline services and ongoing capacity additions at terminals such as Colombo West International Terminal and improved terminal coordination. ([ft.lk](https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Colombo-Port-records-22-growth-in-container-throughput-in-April/44-791703?utm_source=openai)) 3) Capacity expansion and transshipment competitiveness - Capacity path: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka and port‑sector analyses project Colombo’s total container **handling capacity to reach ~15 million TEU by end‑2026**, effectively doubling from earlier levels. This hinges on full ramp‑up of new berths (e.g., West Container Terminal / CWIT) and operational improvements. ([ft.lk](https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Colombo-Port-to-double-capacity-to-15-m-TEUs-by-end-2026--but-risks-losing-geographic-edge--CBSL/44-787151?utm_source=openai)) - Risk of losing edge: Policy commentary flags that without customs reforms, yard‑space optimization and more efficient inter‑terminal trucking, Colombo could lose its geographic advantage in the **ultra‑price‑sensitive transshipment market** to competing hubs (e.g., Indian ports). ([ft.lk](https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Colombo-Port-to-double-capacity-to-15-m-TEUs-by-end-2026--but-risks-losing-geographic-edge--CBSL/44-787151?utm_source=openai)) 4) Hambantota Port – 2025–2026 developments - Explosive container growth: China‑backed **Hambantota International Port (HIP)** reported that **container volumes rose 705% in 2025 to 428,036 TEU**, from a low base, as container operations were expanded in 2024–2025. The port now targets **2 million TEU annual capacity by end‑2026**. ([seanews.com.tr](https://www.seanews.com.tr/article/hambantota-port-now-eyes-2m-teu-capacity-mkk811ak?utm_source=openai)) - Modal mix: Historically a Ro‑Ro and bulk hub, Hambantota has been positioning as a **vehicle transshipment hub** for Indian, Japanese, Chinese and South Korean automakers, re‑exporting cars to global markets. ([hipg.lk](https://hipg.lk/2025/cma-cgm-silverstone-makes-maiden-call-at-hambantota-international-port?utm_source=openai)) - 2025–26 investments: HIP has announced a **US$41 million investment** to upgrade container operations and associated facilities, framed as a step toward becoming a fully multipurpose port supporting higher containerized transshipment volumes. ([hipg.lk](https://www.hipg.lk/images/docs/hip-maritime-eye-view-4th-edition.pdf?utm_source=openai)) 5) Trade‑flow implications - Hub role for South Asia: With **>5.5m TEU** of transshipment in 2025, Colombo functions primarily as a relay for **India, Bangladesh, and the broader Indian Ocean region**. This role is expected to deepen in 2026 given capacity growth and continued mainline calls, even as some Indian ports invest aggressively in direct calls. ([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Emerging dual‑hub pattern in Sri Lanka: - **Colombo** – main container/transshipment hub for general cargo and regional relay. - **Hambantota** – fast‑growing niche hub in vehicle transshipment and now a rising container node targeting 2m TEU capacity by 2026. ([seanews.com.tr](https://www.seanews.com.tr/article/hambantota-port-now-eyes-2m-teu-capacity-mkk811ak?utm_source=openai)) Sources: ([ft.lk](https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Colombo-Port-records-22-growth-in-container-throughput-in-April/44-791703?utm_source=openai)) === DEMAND SIGNALS (Sri Lanka exports – tea, apparel, spices, seafood; 2025 data & 2026 outlook) === 1) Overall export performance and 2026 target - 2025 baseline: Sri Lanka’s total exports are typically reported around **US$17–18 billion**; a recent 2026 export‑forecast article highlights a **US$17.2bn** baseline and notes that the **apparel sector contributed nearly US$5bn** in 2025. ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) - 2026 targets: The Export Development Board (EDB) has set a **US$20bn total export target for 2026**, split into **US$15.7bn merchandise** and **US$4.3bn services** – implying roughly **+10% growth** vs 2025. ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) 2) Apparel exports – largest single category - 2025 performance: Apparel is the **top export earner**, with **~US$5bn in 2025**, benefiting from modest recovery in US/EU retail demand but facing margin pressure from higher freight and input costs. ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) - Demand signals for 2026: - The 2026 forecast assumes **continued gradual demand recovery** in key markets (US, EU, UK) and a focus on higher‑value and sustainable apparel to maintain competitiveness. - Risk factors include potential **slowdown in Western consumer spending** and re‑shoring/near‑shoring trends that may limit volume growth, suggesting a **value‑over‑volume** strategy. ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) 3) Tea exports – volatility and market mix - 2024–25 performance: National accounts statistics show **tea remains the largest single agricultural export**, but value and volume have been volatile. Exports of tea faced a **notable decline (~‑19% YoY) in December 2025**, with softness in some South Asian markets (India, Pakistan). ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) - Market structure: Sri Lankan tea exports are diversified across the Middle East, Russia/CIS, and increasingly East Asia; sanctions and currency constraints in some markets have created **payment‑risk and demand‑timing issues**. ([statistics.gov.lk](https://www.statistics.gov.lk/Resource/en/NationalAccounts/2010/reports/AnnualReports/Annual2024.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - 2026 outlook: - Currency depreciation and improved agro‑input availability post‑crisis are expected to **support competitiveness**. - However, **intensifying competition** from Kenya and India and evolving consumer preferences (e.g., RTD beverages, specialty teas) mean growth is projected to be **low‑to‑mid single digits** in volume, with more upside in premium/value‑added segments. ([statistics.gov.lk](https://www.statistics.gov.lk/Resource/en/NationalAccounts/2010/reports/AnnualReports/Annual2024.pdf?utm_source=openai)) 4) Spices exports – correction after strong growth - Product mix: The national accounts classify **spices as a key agricultural export**, including cinnamon, pepper, cloves, etc., with spices accounting for roughly **6% of agricultural exports** by value. ([statistics.gov.lk](https://www.statistics.gov.lk/Resource/en/NationalAccounts/2010/reports/AnnualReports/Annual2024.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Recent trend: Trade commentary for 2025 notes **dips in rubber and spices** even as other sectors grew, indicating either price softness or volume decline after earlier high prices. ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) - 2026 signals: - Demand from major buyers (EU, US, India) remains structurally strong, but **food inflation normalization** and higher inventories are likely to cap price gains. - Exporters are pivoting to **value‑added spice blends and extracts**, which could stabilize export earnings despite weaker bulk prices. ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) 5) Seafood exports – high growth, but from smaller base - 2023–24 data: National accounts data show **seafood exports growing ~18–19% YoY** in value terms going into 2024, making seafood one of the faster‑growing categories, though still a smaller share than tea or apparel. ([statistics.gov.lk](https://www.statistics.gov.lk/Resource/en/NationalAccounts/2010/reports/AnnualReports/Annual2024.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - 2025: Sector commentary notes seafood among the **leading gainers alongside coconuts and electrical components** in 2025, suggesting both volume and price tailwinds, likely linked to strong demand in East Asia and the Middle East. ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) - 2026 outlook: - Continued expansion of **processed and chilled/frozen seafood exports** is expected, supported by improved cold‑chain logistics and certification for key markets. - However, **freight‑rate volatility and route disruptions** (Red Sea, see next section) could affect margins, particularly for reefer containers. ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) 6) Other key agri‑food signals relevant to 2026 - Coconut products: 2025 saw **~42% growth in coconut exports**, particularly value‑added items like coconut oil, cream, and desiccated products, positioning this as a major growth driver in the agri‑food basket for 2026. ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) - Market access and policies: Ongoing engagement with the **EU GSP+ scheme** and diversification into Middle Eastern and Asian markets are central to the 2026 export‑growth strategy; maintaining compliance with social and environmental standards is viewed as critical for apparel, tea, and seafood. ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) Sources: ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) === PROBLEM FRAMING (Container shipping disruptions – Red Sea attacks, rerouting, impact on South Asia/Indian Ocean freight rates in 2026) === 1) Nature and persistence of the disruption - Red Sea/Houthi attacks: Since late 2023 and through 2024–25, Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the **Red Sea and Bab el‑Mandeb** have forced major carriers to **avoid the Suez Canal route**, rerouting ships around the **Cape of Good Hope**. ([ports.marinelink.com](https://ports.marinelink.com/ports/port/point-wells/news/red-sea-diversions-persist-driving-up-shipping-costs-2024?utm_source=openai)) - Duration into 2026: OECD and trade‑risk reports published in late 2024 and early 2026 characterize the situation as an **ongoing security risk** that continues to influence routing decisions and insurance premiums in 2025–26, even as some traffic partially returns to the Red Sea under naval escort. ([atlasinstitute.org](https://atlasinstitute.org/the-red-sea-shipping-crisis-2024-2025-houthi-attacks-and-global-trade-disruption/?utm_source=openai)) 2) Cost and transit‑time impact - Voyage lengthening: Diversions around the Cape add **10–14 days** to typical Asia–Europe voyages compared with the Suez route, depending on speed and port rotation. ([atlasinstitute.org](https://atlasinstitute.org/the-red-sea-shipping-crisis-2024-2025-houthi-attacks-and-global-trade-disruption/?utm_source=openai)) - Freight‑rate spike: - OECD/ITF analysis estimates that the security crisis and rerouting led to **container freight rates between Asia and Europe rising by over 300%**, to around **USD 5,000 per FEU** at peak – well above 2019 levels, though below COVID‑era highs. ([oecd.org](https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2024/12/risks-and-resilience-in-global-trade_c8a001ff/1c66c439-en.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Marine/shipping reports from 2024 also documented **triple‑digit percentage increases** in spot rates on key East‑West lanes due to diversions and capacity constraints. ([ports.marinelink.com](https://ports.marinelink.com/ports/port/point-wells/news/red-sea-diversions-persist-driving-up-shipping-costs-2024?utm_source=openai)) 3) Specific implications for South Asia / Indian Ocean (including Sri Lanka) - Route geography: South Asian ports (Colombo, Indian west‑coast ports, Karachi, Chattogram) sit on the main **Asia–Europe and Asia–Middle East loops** that normally traverse the Red Sea; diversions via the Cape substantially alter rotation design and **transshipment patterns**. ([containersindia.in](https://containersindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Final-Market-Report-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Impact channels for Sri Lanka and regional hubs: - **Higher freight and insurance costs** for export/import cargoes routed to Europe and the Mediterranean, including Sri Lankan **tea, apparel, seafood, and spices**, eroding margins. ([lankawebsites.com](https://lankawebsites.com/blog/imports-exports/2026-export-forecast-for-sri-lanka-building-on-172b-success?utm_source=openai)) - **Schedule unreliability** and longer lead times, affecting just‑in‑time supply chains and buyer inventory strategies. This is particularly problematic for **time‑sensitive reefer cargo** (seafood, fresh produce) out of South Asia. ([atlasinstitute.org](https://atlasinstitute.org/the-red-sea-shipping-crisis-2024-2025-houthi-attacks-and-global-trade-disruption/?utm_source=openai)) - Potential for **temporary boosts in transshipment demand** at Indian Ocean hubs as carriers redesign services and add ad‑hoc calls to manage longer rotations and equipment imbalances. Colombo’s 2025–26 throughput growth – including **+13.9% YoY in Jan–Apr 2026** – is occurring against this backdrop of global rerouting and could partly reflect such network adjustments. ([ft.lk](https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Colombo-Port-records-22-growth-in-container-throughput-in-April/44-791703?utm_source=openai)) 4) Comparative rate levels in 2026 - While Asia–Europe spot rates around **USD 5,000/FEU** (peaks) are far above pre‑crisis averages, they remain **below COVID‑period extremes**, when some lanes exceeded USD 10,000–15,000/FEU; nonetheless, they represent a **significant cost shock** for low‑margin exporters in South Asia. ([oecd.org](https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2024/12/risks-and-resilience-in-global-trade_c8a001ff/1c66c439-en.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Ripple effects: Due to interconnected vessel networks, **elevated rates and tighter capacity spill over to other lanes**, including **Asia–Middle East, Asia–Africa, and intra‑Asia**, which are important for Sri Lankan and Indian apparel, tea, and agri‑food exports. ([oecd.org](https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2024/12/risks-and-resilience-in-global-trade_c8a001ff/1c66c439-en.pdf?utm_source=openai)) 5) Strategic framing for 2026 - Risk profile: The Red Sea situation in 2026 is best framed as a **chronic, high‑variance risk** rather than a short‑lived shock: episodes of escalation can quickly re‑tighten capacity and spike freight rates, complicating contracts for 2026 shipment seasons for South Asian exporters. ([atlasinstitute.org](https://atlasinstitute.org/the-red-sea-shipping-crisis-2024-2025-houthi-attacks-and-global-trade-disruption/?utm_source=openai)) - Adaptive responses in South Asia: - Exporters are increasingly using **longer‑term freight contracts, diversified carriers, and alternative routings** (e.g., via Gulf hubs) to manage risk. - Ports like Colombo and Hambantota are emphasizing **operational reliability and quick vessel turn‑around** to remain attractive as carriers optimize time on extended rotations. ([ft.lk](https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Colombo-Port-records-22-growth-in-container-throughput-in-April/44-791703?utm_source=openai)) Sources: ([ports.marinelink.com](https://ports.marinelink.com/ports/port/point-wells/news/red-sea-diversions-persist-driving-up-shipping-costs-2024?utm_source=openai))