CASA approves reduction in transhipment handling fee

Handling fee: At an emergency general meeting held recently, CASA membership unanimously approved a reduction in the fee for handling transhipment containers. The decision has been conveyed to the Ministry of Ports and Aviation for necessary action with the Controller of Exchange.

Prior to this approval CASA consulted their Advisory Council after recommendations of the Finance Committee which were endorsed by the Executive Committee.

Some main lines serving Colombo had requested for such a reduction and CASA's positive response to industry stakeholders is considered as a bold step taken in the right direction with a view to long term benefits for the industry.

Chairman of CASA Capt. Ajith Peiris, while applauding the membership for this selfless move, hopes that other similar organisations in this country too will take appropriate steps for the benefit of the country and its economy in the longer term.

He observed that many are acting and demanding only for short term gains for themselves without looking at the bigger picture.

By encouraging shipping lines to call Colombo with lower cost in T/S container handling there will be additional lines and services showing interest in using the Port of Colombo as a hub in this region.

Such an interest by the Shipping lines will benefit the shippers and importers of this country as more shipping opportunities will be available for them to ship their cargo at lower costs with better frequency. This action of CASA could not have come at a better time as it is only a few weeks ago that the President launched the expansion of the Colombo Port Project.

It is not too early, says the CASA Chairman, for all Shipping Agents who are Members of CASA, to start actively to market the new port project with their respective Principals as a surge in volumes is expected in the region.

These volumes will be required to fuel the overall growth of the Port of Colombo in the years ahead.

'This is the first step he said towards wooing more ship owners to operate via Colombo; he added further that there are already some new Lines planning service schedules for very large Container Ships some of which are already being built in the world's shipyards.

We need to see work commence on the port development project and complete as planned so that Colombo is ready to accommodate the demand so envisaged'.

'We hope to see these large containerships calling at the Port of Colombo at least in 2010.