shipping

Implementing EDI system urged

The new elected Chairman of Shippers Councils (SC) Randolph Perera urges the Government to be fully operationalised on the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system in the Colombo Port.

"It is the need of the hour to fast track EDI system fully operationalised for the benefit of all shippers that call for the Port of Colombo. This would in turn increase the efficiency in the Port," Perera said.

Currently, EDI system could only be logging to part of the Customs documents, which should be extended to all the activities including Sri Lanka Port Authority payments and bank accounts payments.

He said if the Government could make the EDI system fully operatioanlise it would help to attract new shipping lines into the country. It also helps to promote the hub status in the long-term perspective in the region.

Currently, EDI system is only applies to Sri Lanka Tea Board export cargo and should be extended to other sectors to create to an efficient Port service in the country.

Further when it comes to BoI documentation, a delay is caused due to the absent of a proper EDI system, he said.

Therefore, there is a visible delay in releasing documents for export/import cargo in the country due to the absent of an EDI system for most of cargo in the Colombo Port, he said.

SLPA marks 29th Anniversary

Accelerating the work in the Hambantota Port is one of the major issues taken into consideration at the 29th anniversary held recently.

Year 2008 is considered as an year that marked with a number of mega developmental projects launched and implemented by the SLPA, specially the Hambantota Port Development Project, Colombo South Port Development Project, Galle Port Development project.

The Oluvil Port Development Project is also among the major developmental projects in the port sector. Also proving the enhanced efficiency in the maritime industry, SLPA recorded the highest ever monthly container throughput volume in last June.

WL

SLPA records highest ever throughput

SLPA records its highest ever monthly throughput in July this year exceeding its previous highest ever monthly throughput in last June.

Port of Colombo has exceeded its previous highest ever monthly throughput recorded in June this year.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) which recorded its previous highest ever monthly throughput which was 170, 971TEUs in last June has exceeded by 2615TEUs making the highest ever monthly throughput of 173, 585TEUs for SLPA in July this year.

With this, totally, the Port of Colombo has recorded its highest ever monthly throughput of 324,047 TEUs in July 2008.

The extended welfare and technical facilities to all employees at SLPA towards their maximum efficiency, through the right supervision of Minister of Port, Aviation, Irrigation and Water Management, Chamal Rajapaksa, the management of the SLPA has been able to continue a close relationship between the employer and the employee sectors towards the continuation of such enhancing success throughout.

Indian regulation lifted for ONGC

A decision by the Indian Shipping Ministry that has given the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation leeway on regulation that enforces a 25-year cap on vessels plying Indian waters may set a precedent for other vessel operators to continue using older vessels.

State-owned ONGC, which has announced an $8b project to bring new offshore fields in the west and east coasts into production in the next few years, protested this cap when it was announced a few months ago as it would eliminate the majority of ships in its 200 vessel fleet.

In a letter to the Shipping Ministry ONGC Chairman R Sharma argued that the ONGC fleet was seaworthy despite overstepping the age limit and that the cost of hiring vessels to replace those already deployed on the $8b offshore plan would prove detrimental to the project.

In granting the request, the Government may be inundated by similar requests from vessel operators eager to prove that their older vessels are similarly seaworthy.

PTI

Dhanusha signs agreement with BoI

Dhanusha Marine Lanka signed an agreement with Board of Investment (BoI) for a project to manufacture fibre-glass trailer covers and boats for exports.

Dhanusha Marine Lanka currently manufactures and exports fibre-glass boats and trailers to Norway, Germany, India and Maldives.

With the new BOI venture it is expected to increase production capacity and generate new employment opportunities. Dhanusha Marine Lanka Limited manufactures world-class range of Boats and Kayaks.

The venture is an investment of US $ 250,000 and will generate around 60 employment opportunities. The manufacturing plant is located at Fullerton Industrial Estate, Kalutara. G. S. Fernando (Managing Director) signed the agreement on behalf of the company.