UK ports sector keen to develop partnerships with SL

A trade delegation from the UK ports industry will be visiting Sri Lanka on a trade mission from March 7-9. The mission team includes representatives covering port management, maritime training, legal services, port equipment and maritime security.

The aims of the mission are to build on existing links between Sri Lanka and the British ports sectors, and in particular to participate in the new port developments which have been planned across the country.

The mission is organised by the British government's trade promotion body "UK Trade and Investment" and the Ports and Terminals Group, a trade association of UK based port interests dedicated to ports development and expansion across the world.

The mission is being led by James Sutcliffe, Chairman of UK Trade and Investment's Ports Advisory Group which comprises senior business people from the UK Ports sector. Sutcliffe said, "There is a long history of successful collaboration between the UK and Sri Lanka. The UK Ports sector recognises there are many opportunities for partnership and we are keen to work with Sri Lankan companies to identify and implement solutions to improve the contribution that Sri Lankan ports make to the country's future prosperity".

Companies taking part in the mission: John Sutcliffe & Son - expertise in the operation and development of container ports, financing port development and constructing new container ports.

Cambridge Academy of Transport - practical maritime training programmes to the international shipping industry. Hart Security - global risk management services company providing strategic security solutions and operational services.

Stephenson Harwood - offering comprehensive, specialist shipping advice in the areas of litigation (wet and dry), insurance and ship finance.

Linde Heavy Truck Division, part of the UK Linde Materials Handling Division, supplies forklifts, container handling and other heavy equipment to ports around the world.

QinetiQ - one of the world's leading defence technology and security companies.