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.
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