Safety and security are key aspects:

Logiventures launches automotive logistics in Hambantota port

The Hayleys Group has begun offering comprehensive automotive logistics solutions through its logistics services subsidiary Logiventures, to importers clearing their vehicles at the Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Hambantota.

The company cleared its first shipment of 850 vehicles in June, when the NYK Line vessel Cygnus Leader called at the port. Logiventures said it would work closely with NYK Line, to expand its engagement with the automotive industry in Sri Lanka.

The company has already ordered more car carrier trailers to supplement its existing fleet and invested in a vehicle transit facility in close proximity to the Hambantota Port to facilitate the clearing, inspection and transportation of vehicles discharged at the Port by roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels. The initial capacity of the facility is approximately 700 vehicles, the company said.

“Investment in this operation is in response to the recent SLPA decision to divert Ro-Ro vessels to the new port in Hambantota to reduce congestion at the Colombo Port,” Logiventures Director Janitha Jayanetti said.

“Logiventures has been providing automotive logistics services to many leading vehicle importers since 2006 and is the market leader in supporting vehicle importing companies,” he said, adding that “the company will work closely with the local community to create employment opportunities for youth in Hambantota through this initiative.”

He also said the company is now geared to offer services including documentation and customs clearance of vehicles, inspection, initial transportation from the port to the company's transit yard, re-inspection of vehicles prior to dispatch and transportation by car carrier trailers to Colombo or any location specified by the vehicle importers.

“Safety and security are key aspects in an operation of this nature, and Logiventures has an established record in these areas,”he said.

Jayanetti added the company was looking at delivering vehicles to the showrooms or yards of importing companies on a ‘just-in-time’ basis, enabling them to better manage their storage and display space. A member of Hayleys Advantis, the transportation and logistics arm of the Hayleys Group, Logiventures specializes in cargo handling, transportation, storage facilities, sale and hire of convertainers (portable cabins) and empty containers, supply of tamper-evident seals and stickers and numerous services related to logistics chains.

The company is credited with being the pioneer in developing a car carrier trailer in Sri Lanka to transport cars on a large scale. In addition to transporting cargo from point to point, Logiventures offers a complete solution to project cargo customers who move heavy and over dimensional cargo to site locations in remote areas where infrastructure is at a bare minimum. Wherever needed, specialized equipment is utilized to ensure cargo safety and the company also liaises with transport authorities and local law enforcement authorities to obtain the necessary permits to transport such cargo on behalf of its customers.