Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has invested Rs.40 million in the new online clearance system that is likely to increase efficiency at the port.
The new system is a standard package purchased from Navis that currently provides for the terminal management system, SLPA Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama told the Business Times.
He said that this standard package is being used as part of the main system in use at present.
Commenting on the possibility that wharf clerks might be a thing of the past, Dr. Wickrama noted however, that this is unlikely to happen.
On the other hand, he noted that the responsibilities of the wharf clerks will reduce in the future as they would not have to waste time since even the Customs Department will be going online.
In this regard, no additional costs would have to be incurred by the respective industries when importing goods as the human-to-human interaction will be limited in the future.
He was referring to a comment in last week’s Business Times where Vehicle Importers Association President Yoga Perera said the new online system is “ likely to result in the end of wharf clerks.”
The new system is tipped to benefit the consumer and the importer as the process would be better streamlined, he said adding that they could even print the gate pass.
He noted that with trials having already commenced they would be initiating the new online system from January 2012.
In the meantime, the SLPA is importing 50 yard tractors from Malaysia for which orders have already been placed, Dr. Wickrama said.
He pointed out that it would reach Colombo in December for which a cost of around US$4 million has been incurred. Yard tractors are used to move trailers in distribution centres, transport companies, container terminals and airports. |
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