Adopting a national policy to upgrade shipping trade viewed

Walter Liyanarachchi

POLICY: If we do not adopt a rapid development programme short term and long termwise our shipping trade will be left behind and more and more lines will start using other hubs.

As a remedial measure we should have a national policy to cushion the adversities said Sri Lanka Shippers Council (outgoing) Chairman Jayanath Perera. He said so addressing the annual general meeting of the council.

Explaining the shortages in ports, Perera said that due to thecongestion in ports, productivity levels cannot be improved, as there is limited space. In the recent past we have seen some shipping lines moving their services to Indian Ports.

Some lines either call Indian Ports before coming to Colombo or after leaving Colombo on the west bound trade.

This too has resulted a space crisis in Colombo and move in importantly affecting transit times of Colombo. He also said: “I am happy that the present government has identified these needs and had taken necessary steps to go ahead with few development programmes to combat the situation.

He also said that the Shippers Council will have a major role to play and regular interaction with Regional Shippers’ Councils should be strengthened and close cooperation among these regional bodiesshould be developed.