Introduction
Despite April being a month with a considerable number of national holidays, the operational commitments of the Mts Centre staff have been positively maintained.
The number of ship arrivals at the Port of Colombo has remained relatively consistent, ensuring a steady flow of Seafarers visiting the Mts Centre and utilising the free transport shuttle service.
Additionally, challenging weather conditions—particularly the intense heat during this period—have not significantly hindered engagement levels. Considering these external and internal factors, the overall situation remains highly encouraging.
Ship Visiting
Ship visiting continues to be a core operational priority, serving as the primary point of contact with Seafarers onboard vessels calling at Colombo.
These visits not only strengthen first-time engagement but also help maintain long-term relationships with seafarers who have previously visited the Centre. Such continuity significantly enhances trust and participation.
During April, the team successfully completed 152 ship visits across 27 working days, reflecting consistent outreach efforts and operational efficiency.
Home Away from Home
The Mts Centre Colombo continues to provide a welcoming, inclusive, and relaxing environment—truly serving as a “Home Away from Home” for seafarers.
The atmosphere allows individuals of all ranks and nationalities to interact freely, reinforcing the Centre’s role as a safe and neutral social space.
Seafarers from the following vessels called over during the month.
- Msc Monica III (Panama – IMO No.9060649)
- Maersk Tukang (Singapore – IMO No.9334686)
- Cisnes (Liberia – IMO No.9687576)
- Msc Olivia (Liberia – IMO No.9954761)
- Charlotte Schulte (Singapore – IMO No.9665657) *
- Manasa F (Liberia – IMO No.9238882) *
- CMA CGM Fuzhou (Malta – IMO No.9596313)
- MTT Pelepas (Malaysian – IMO No.9974228) * *
- Msc Roberta V (Iberia – IMO No.9038907)
- Msc Monica III (Liberia – IMO No.9060649)
- Raffles Progress (Panama – IMO No.9381316)
- Msc Siya B (Portugal – IMO No.9793947) *
- Maersk Herrera (Singapore – IMO No.9784324)
- Manila Express (German – IMO No.9540120)
- Northern Practice (Liberia – IMO No.9450301) *
- Alva Maersk (Denmark – IMO No. 9961817)
- Msc Sofia Celeste (Portugal – IMO No.9702091)
- GSL Melina (Liberia – IMO NO.9509152)
- Maersk Genoa (Singapore – IMO No.9739680) * *
- CMA CGM Congo (Malta – IMO No.9679892) *
- Maersk Guatemala (Singapore – IMO No.9713375)
- OOCL Luxembourg (Hong Kong – IMO No.9417270)
- Msc Altair (Liberia – IMO No.9465277)
- CMA CGM Cebu (Malta – IMO No.9362736)
- Linah (German – IMO NO.9708801)
- Msc Romane (Portugal – IMO No.9745653)
- Msc Gaia (Panama – IMO No.9401142)
- Msc Domitille (Portugal – IMO No.9720201)
- Blue Sky I (Liberia – IMO No.9335903) *
- Titan Wave (Palau – IMO NO.9395719)
- Msc Trieste (Malta – IMO No.9484479)
- Westerly (Liberia – IMO No.9246310)
- Kumasi (Bahamas – IMO No.9220859)
- ONE Mission (Marshall Islands – IMO No.9475650)
- Msc Giovanna VII (Liberia – IMO No.9153850)
- Ocean Jupiter (Korean – IMO No.9523249)
- Hong Kong Express (German – IMO No.9501356)
- Msc Akiteta II (Liberia – IMO No.9220847)
- Msc Marie Leslie (Liberia – IMO No.9968310)
- Maersk Halifax (Singapore – IMO No.9784271)
- CMA CGM Longoni (Malta – IMO No.9673654) *
- Msc Rachele (Panama – IMO No.9290282)
- Maersk Canyon (United Kingdom – IMO No.9924235)
- RDO Grace (Liberia – IMO No.9632492)
- Maersk Gibraltar (Singapore – IMO No.9739692)
- SLS Topaz (Marshall Islands – IMO No.9263320)
- GSL Arcadia (Liberia – IMO No.9214214)
- Msc Miraya V (Liberia – IMO No.9297527)
- CMA CGM Columbia (Malta – IMO No.9722663)
- Usanee Naree (Singapore – IMO No.9883651)
- Maersk Guayaquil (Singapore – IMO No.9727871)
- Antwerpen Express (German – IMO No.9612997)
- Maersk Aras (Panama – IMO No.9624275)
- Maersk Hangzhou (Singapore – IMO No.9784300)
- Chance (Liberia – IMO No.9939890)
- Msc Ingy (Liberia – IMO No.9755945) *
- Francois (Panama IMO No.9907782) * *
- AL Nasriyah (German – IMO No.9708849)
- San Felipe (Liberia – IMO No.9698628)
- Msc America (Liberia – IMO No.9963580)
- AL Qibla Express (Liberia – IMO No.9525924)
- Msc Patnaree III (Liberia – IMO No.9240328)
- SOL Unity (Panama – IMO No.9377690)
- Maersk Guayaquil (Singapore – IMO No.9727871)
- APL Cairo (Singapore – IMO No.92344109)
- Maersk Savannah (Hong Kong – IMO No.9352028)
- Msc Flavia (Panama – IMO No.9467433)
A total of 374 Seafarers visited the Mts Centre in the month.
Community Engagement
Our Chaplain addressed the CMA CGM team at their office on 10th April 2026 and blessed the staff members.
The Breakdown & Comparative Analysis
- The free transport shuttle facilitated access for 378 Seafarers during the month.
- A total of seafarers from 67 vessels visited the Centre, with several ships recording repeat * visits, indicating strong satisfaction and loyalty.
The numbers for the month of April are once again a mixed bag but none the less encouraging. The overall analysis of them, as compared with April 2025, makes interesting reading.
|
Year |
Details |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total
|
| 2025 |
Ship Visits |
172 |
154 |
167 |
129 |
148 |
181 |
176 |
176 |
164 |
164 |
146 |
160 |
622 |
| Seafarers @ Centre |
316 |
328 |
305 |
295 |
298 |
260 |
445 |
328 |
369 |
320 |
324 |
380 |
1244 |
| Pick up/Drop |
298 |
319 |
282 |
284 |
264 |
242 |
416 |
308 |
357 |
313 |
310 |
363 |
1183 |
| 2026 |
Ship Visits |
141 |
148 |
158 |
152 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
599 |
| Seafarers @ Centre |
314 |
243 |
350 |
374 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1281 |
| Pick up/Drop |
308 |
228 |
340 |
378 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1254 |
Key Figures
- Ship visits 152
- Seafarers at the Centre 374
- Pickup and drop off 378
Cumulative Data: October 2022 – April 2026
| Details |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Total |
| Ship Visits |
126 |
1978 |
1976 |
1937 |
599 |
6612 |
| Seafarers at Centre |
128 |
3229 |
3737 |
3968 |
1281 |
12343 |
| Pick up and Drop |
126 |
3189 |
3593 |
3756 |
1254 |
11918 |
Overall Analysis
April 2026 can be classified as a high-performing and growth-oriented month, especially when benchmarked against April 2025.
Key Strengths
- Increased Engagement: A substantial rise in Seafarers visiting the Centre (+23%) shows improved outreach effectiveness and a stronger reputation.
- Transport Demand Growth: Pickup/drop usage exceeds even the number of Seafarers at the Mts Centre, indicating efficient logistics and possibly multiple trips per individual, reflecting high service value.
- Consistent Ship Visits: Despite holidays and weather challenges, ship visits increased, demonstrating operational resilience.
- Repeat Visitors: Repeat ship visits highlight relationship retention and satisfaction, a key qualitative success factor.
Conclusion
Overall, April 2026 reflects strong operational performance, increased seafarer engagement, and growing demand for services.
The Mts Centre Colombo is not only maintaining its standards but is clearly improving its reach, impact, and value to seafarers, positioning itself as an essential support hub within the Port of Colombo.