Sri Lanka can be converted to a major ‘Ship Crew changing hub’ for the world and it can be a USD one billion annual income generating industry to the island said Executive Chairman Ceyline Group and CINEC Campus Capt. Ajith Peiris.
In addition to shipping companies, this ‘Ship Crew changing hub’ operations can also boost the revenue for tourism, airlines, airports and other support services.
He said that the flawless and successful ‘Ship Crew changing’ launched by Ceyline Group and other companies in Sri Lanka has come to high praise globally. “Sri Lanka was able to come to the aid of the international shipping community by being a safe location for facilitating the change of ship’s crew, which is critical for the safe operation of ships.”
“It’s now up to the government to capitalize on this reputation and market Sri Lanka internationally as a ‘Ship Crew changing hub’. A brand such as Sri Lanka Tea or Sri Lanka Tourism too should be created.”
He said that there are over 300 ships that sail close to the Galle Harbour and it would be an ideal location to attract vessels. “We also need to improve the infrastructure on the Galle harbour.”
He however said that the ‘Ship Crew changes’ have been temporarily stopped due to few seafarers being infected with Covid. “However if proper PCR tests are done in India before they come to Sri Lanka we can review this business again and the government must look at this.”
Ceyline Group chartered a SriLankan Airlines flight to Cochin to repatriate 120 Indian seafarers who had completed contracts and signed off from ships off the port of Galle. “This operation also brought in revenue to Sri Lankan.”
“When President gave his consent to conduct crew changes in Sri Lanka he made a request from the shipping industry that SriLankan Airlines be used for marine crew transfers wherever possible. We thought we would honor that request. Ceyline will continue to support our national carrier despite cost benefits offered by other airlines” Capt. Peiris said.
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