The online Cargo Management system will come into effect from March 1 and expected to eliminate human-to-human contact, improving productivity by 15-20%, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama said.
The new online system that would eliminate the use of wharf clerks in the future would also eliminate “paying many things to many people,” he said speaking at a seminar organized by the Shipper’s Council on advanced facilities to the shipping industry.
Additional costs incurred would also be eliminated, Dr. Wickrama explained adding that it would prove to be a huge saving and thereby providing the maximum benefit to the shipping industry.
He also noted that while it would improve productivity it can also draw more shipping lines thereby increasing competition and reducing freight rates.
At present a wharf clerk would have to go to 13 locations in order to process the data. However, under the new online system at every stage processing could take place online including printing of the gate pass with a barcode thereby eliminating delays, he said.
All information processed is sent simultaneously to the Sri Lanka Customs and the SLPA, Dr. Wickrama said.
He noted that currently they were working with the Bank of Ceylon (BOC) in relation to handling any financial transactions but would accommodate any other banks in the future.
The SLPA Chairman also observed that the proposed Peliyagoda Cargo Village is currently carrying out soil improvement and other work at least be partially completed by the end of this year adding that containers would be shifted to the site via the rail system.
The current system would enable users to access the system by logging onto the Internet and having registered with the SLPA they could log in using their account name and password.
By entering the Clearing Agent’s code, name, address and telephone number and; clicking onto either import or export the relevant forms would be made available to the users who would then be required to enter all required details. |
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