Sri Lanka-Bound Urea Shipment Delayed Near Strait of Hormuz

COLOMBO (News 1st);A vessel carrying urea fertilizer to Sri Lanka remains stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

Director of the National Fertilizer Secretariat, Chandana Lokuhewage, said the vessel is currently anchored in waters near Oman.

The vessel, carrying 21,000 metric tons of fertilizer, had arrived from the United Arab Emirates.

The Director said discussions are currently underway to bring the vessel to Sri Lanka.

However, he said around 180,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer, sufficient for the Maha cultivation season, is currently available in the country.

He added that around 18,000 metric tons of fertilizer have already been distributed to farmers.

Meanwhile, another vessel carrying 27,000 metric tons of MOP, or Bandi fertilizer, has arrived at the Colombo Port.

The Fertilizer Secretariat said the fertilizer stock is currently being unloaded.