Merchant ships with cargo storage space routed to Colombo, Ceylon according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 22 December 1941

An item referred to a Navy Department tiding of 17 December reporting that “ships in the Indian Ocean in ballast or with space should be routed to Colombo, Ceylon for orders as strategic materials are available at ports in Indian Ocean.”

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 12 dated 22 December 1941.