Terminal Operators at Colombo Port agree to cooperate, work together

Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA), the voice of the shipping industry, has welcomed an initiative by the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to ensure that terminals work in collaboration with each other to improve overall efficiency of the Colombo Port. 
The terminal operators of Colombo port signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 14 to unload ships of their competitor terminals if berths are available. This will reduce the waiting time for clients which will improve ease of doing business in Sri Lanka and increase competitiveness over other regional ports, CASA said in a media release.
The MOU was signed between the South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT), Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) and Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) in the presence of Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake and industry representatives from CASA.
The Colombo Port has been ranked among the world’s best 25 ports in accordance with the Alphaliner rankings in 2017 and is therefore considered as an efficient port in the region. “However we face competition from many regional ports. CASA is of the view that the initiative of the three terminals to collaborate will help Colombo Port to stay competitive in the region and to reach the maritime hub status,” the release said.
The industry body said that it believes that the combined terminals collaboration will allow for the most effective use of facilities and manpower resources. Over the past few years CASA has worked with the terminal operators to improve overall efficiency of the Colombo Port and will continue to do so. “It is now important to work out on a unified payment structure across terminals to ensure operational efficiency. CASA is optimistic about the future of the industry with all government agencies working together for a common goal of achieving the maritime hub status,” the release said.