ECT tied in exclusivity clause: Colombo Port
Sri Lankan authorities will not be considering the proposals put forward by shipping lines to manage the operations at the East Container Terminal amid protests by trade unions at the Colombo Port citing clauses in the West Terminal agreement that no such vessel operator can join the ECT.
However, the industry points out that this is something that was long – awaited by the local industry in running a terminal at the port to ensure that the port remains competitive.
In fact, Founder, Shipper’s Academy Rohan Masakorala, told The Sunday Times that this was something the industry wanted to happen in a bid to ensure that they can remain competitive in the global market.
He also pointed out that despite the exclusivity clause entered into in the Adani JKH WCIT agreement it is possible to ensure that Sri Lanka in wanting to remain competitive could change it through a cabinet decision.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman (Rtd) Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe said that they could not go ahead with the said proposal from shipping lines as there was an exclusivity clause that had been entered into when signing with the Adani and JKH concession agreement for the West Container International Terminal (WCIT).
According to this clause the Chairman pointed out it prevents the ECT from being given out to any other party other than the SLPA. “We can’t consider it right now as we are prevented in doing so,” he said.
In fact, he queried it was unusual for the trade unions to have even raised these concerns since they too are aware of this exclusivity clause in the agreement with WCIT.
Mr. Ranasinghe noted that out of the 12 cranes the ECT currently has nine cranes of which four cranes can be used effectively with 600 m of the quay wall area completed.
By end June, he noted that the first phase of the ECT will be completed along with 40-50 per cent of the yard area.
Hitad.lk has you covered with quality used or brand new cars for sale that are budget friendly yet reliable! Now is the time to sell your old ride for something more attractive to today's modern automotive market demands. Browse through our selection of affordable options now on Hitad.lk before deciding on what will work best for you!