Sri Lanka Turns to New Tar Suppliers as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Roadworks
October 15, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has started sourcing tar from a wider range of international markets in an effort to prevent disruptions to road construction and maintenance projects, following supply difficulties linked to the continuing conflict in the Middle East.
Road Development Authority (RDA) Director General N. A. Hettiarachchi said the country had traditionally depended heavily on Iranian tar, valued for its quality and suitability for road surfacing. However, imports have been interrupted since March amid regional hostilities and restrictions affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The disruption has created a significant challenge for the country’s road development programme, with Sri Lanka requiring at least 20,000 metric tonnes of tar every month to maintain existing roads and support construction work nationwide.
In response, the RDA has begun bringing in smaller consignments from alternative suppliers in Kazakhstan, Bahrain, China, India, Malaysia and Thailand. The move is intended to diversify supply sources and reduce dependence on a single market during a period of heightened international uncertainty.
Nevertheless, finding willing suppliers has not been the only obstacle. Hettiarachchi said transporting the material to Sri Lanka had become increasingly difficult, as several shipping operators were reluctant to carry the cargo because of the risks associated with the regional conflict.
Concerns over possible United States sanctions and the threat of attacks on vessels have reportedly made shipping companies more cautious about accepting such consignments. The situation has been further complicated by international insurers’ reluctance to provide cover for vessels carrying tar through areas considered vulnerable to security threats.
These logistical and insurance difficulties mean that securing supplies remains a challenge even when alternative sources are available. Delays or shortages could place additional pressure on the scheduling of road repairs and development work across the island.
The RDA’s efforts to establish alternative supply channels are therefore crucial to maintaining the continuity of road infrastructure projects while international shipping conditions remain uncertain. A more diversified sourcing strategy could help reduce future vulnerabilities, although the reliability and cost of deliveries will remain important considerations.
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