ASC to boost Lankan hub status

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The Colombo port

The volume of cargo leaving Sri Lankan shores has dropped due to the global financial crisis that has adversely affected the shipping line businesses, said Chairman, Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council (SLSC), Randolph Perera.

He said the industry has been facing tough times since the start of the recession during the latter part of 2008.

With the crisis easing off trade volumes will increase.

“Large vessels are unable to call on Colombo Port due to the low depth of the harbour.Work on the Colombo South Harbour Expansion project has to be accelerated if Sri Lanka is to retain its hub status in the region,” Perera said.

The south harbour project did not get off the ground as scheduled and after a period of lull work on the south terminal has commenced which is expected to reach completion by 2011.

Chairman, Sri Lanka Ports Authority SLPA), Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama said Sri Lanka will soon be a logistic hub with the development of all ports in the country. “The SLPA has launched a mega program to expedite the development of the port sector which would help enhance growth of trade volume” he said. “Freight charges have been stable due to the global recession. The Council has focused on maintaining freight rates at reasonable levels preventing arbitrary surcharges and ad hoc rate increases”, he said.

SLSC will host the Asian Shippers’ Council (ASC)AGM next month for the first time in Sri Lanka which will help build the image of the country and improve its hub status.

SLSC was set up in 1966 to promote the interest of shippers and it is the first national shippers’ council to be set up in Asia.The council is a member of ASC and a key participant at the annual Global Shippers’ Forum.