First Crude Oil Shipment Reaches Colombo Amidst Middle East Tensions

The Desh Mahima vessel, owned by the Indian Shipping Corporation, arrived at Colombo Port on April 17, marking the first crude oil delivery to Sri Lanka since the onset of heightened tensions in the Middle East. The ship, which originated from the United Arab Emirates, carried approximately 97,500 metric tons of crude oil. According to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, the unloading process has commenced, and the crude oil is currently being transported via pipelines to the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery for processing. This delivery is crucial for the nation's energy supply amidst global geopolitical uncertainties.