The Road Development Authority (RDA) says Sri Lanka has begun importing tar from alternative countries to address the shortage of supplies required for road development and maintenance, caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
RDA Director General N. A. Hettiarachchi said Sri Lanka previously relied heavily on high-quality tar manufactured in Iran. However, imports have been disrupted since March due to the ongoing conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
He stated that Sri Lanka requires at least 20,000 metric tonnes of tar per month to carry out road maintenance and development activities across the country.
To address the shortage, the RDA has begun importing limited quantities of tar through alternative routes from Kazakhstan, Bahrain, China, India, Malaysia and Thailand.
However, the Director General noted that despite the availability of alternative markets, transporting tar to Sri Lanka remains a major challenge, with several shipping companies refusing to handle shipments.
He explained that shipping companies are concerned about potential US sanctions and the risk of attacks amid the ongoing conflict.
International insurance providers are also reportedly reluctant to provide coverage for vessels transporting tar due to the prevailing security risks.
These challenges have further complicated efforts to secure a steady supply of tar for Sri Lanka’s road development and maintenance projects. (Newswire)
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