Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Al-Futtaim Logistics have discussed opportunities to expand their existing business relationship, against a backdrop of Middle East shipping disruption that has highlighted Hambantota’s role as an alternative transhipment gateway for vehicles destined for Gulf markets.

The discussions took place during a courtesy visit to Hambantota International Port (HIP) by a delegation led by the Vice Chairman of Al-Futtaim Group, Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) said in a statement.

Talks focused on expanding business ties, including the role of the CASCADIA RoRo Feeder Service in strengthening Hambantota’s links with Gulf markets.

Discussions extended beyond the scheduled agenda when the delegation expressed interest in investment opportunities at HIP. Port officials welcomed the interest and outlined opportunities across the port’s operations and industrial park, the statement said.

The visit comes in the wake of Al-Futtaim’s recently published white paper, “Resilience in Motion”, which identifies Hambantota as one of three alternative gateways used to sustain regional automotive supply chains following disruption around the Strait of Hormuz in March 2026. The other gateways were Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat and Port Khor Fakkan in the Gulf of Oman.

According to Al-Futtaim, the three routes collectively moved more than 25,000 finished vehicles into the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, helping maintain dealer supplies and supporting automotive manufacturers in returning to full production capacity.

The figure represents the combined contribution of the three routes, rather than volumes handled through Hambantota alone, it stated.

Hambantota’s inclusion in that network provides a practical example of how transhipment facilities outside the immediate area of disruption can support alternative delivery arrangements for regional markets. 

The CASCADIA RoRo Feeder Service, launched on 9 June 2026, forms part of the connectivity discussed during the visit, linking Hambantota with onward vehicle supply chains serving the region.

The service is operated by CASCADIA, a Canada-headquartered maritime logistics specialist with regional operations in key trade hubs, including Dubai. Its operations support the movement of vehicles across international markets.

The wider importance of such arrangements is examined in Al-Futtaim’s white paper, which emphasises advance contingency planning, shipment visibility and coordination across different customs and regulatory systems.

It describes how alternative corridors were brought into operation within weeks and how local capability helped sustain the response.

These lessons give the discussions between HIPG and Al-Futtaim Logistics a broader commercial context, as logistics providers assess how to maintain reliable supply chains through periods of disruption and develop networks capable of responding to future challenges, the statement added.

Al-Futtaim Logistics, part of the Dubai-headquartered Al-Futtaim Group, provides integrated logistics solutions across automotive finished vehicles, aerospace, retail, and food and beverage sectors. Its global reach extends to more than 150 countries through its strategic network partners.