Ports in southern India and Sri Lanka have the potential to rival Singapore’s dominance as Asia’s shipping and marine fuels hub, if infrastructure concerns are overcome, a top shipping agent said.

Christer Sjodoff, regional director in Asia for Gulf Agency Shipping (GAC), picked India’s Cochin and Sri Lanka’s Galle as ports with huge growth possibilities as they lie on the key shipping and oil trade routes from the Middle East to East Asia.
Sri Lanka has embarked on a $700 million plan to upgrade its ports and build a new southern harbour.
“They have the potential. It might take five to 10 years until they really start to sell bunker fuels in a free zone area, but I think it is within grasp,” Sjodoff said.
“It’s not a matter of overtaking – Singapore will continue to be very efficient – but I think other locations will catch up.”
Singapore is Asia’s top ship bunkering port, seeing growth of 5-8 percent a year in marine fuel sales, and Sjodoff said the city-state’s efficiency, safety and ability to work with industry to adapt to problems would keep it in a strong position.
Dubai-based GAC has 230 offices worldwide and offers logistics for ships, such as refuelling and repairs. Sjodoff saw South Asia as a whole as the main marine services growth area in Asia, with expansion in the state-controlled Chinese market uncertain despite its huge shipping traffic.