Shipping

New port documentation system successful

Hiran H. Senewiratne

Cargo clearance statistics in port reflect a progress in clearing of cargo with the installation of the automated cargo clearance system.

This has created a considerable progress with the import manifests being filed electronically along with tea export documentation which flow profusely, trade officials said.

Sri Lanka customs and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) have completed with shipping lines the filing of import manifests documents electronically.

Therefore, automatic cargo clearing has enabled to speed up trade flows, reduce cost and port congestion, said the Ports Authority sources.

It is also expects documentation for import cargo to be all online in the next four to six months if all parties involved carry out what is required of them.

It will enable faster clearance of cargo, reduce documentation, and ultimately reduce energy wastage.

Fast-track clearance of imports and exports will mean online users can register manifests within a couple of minutes during the 24 hours and even on holidays.

"EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) means faster clearance of containers in Colombo port.

It will also reduce congestion in harbour and enable shippers to plan clearance of shipments in advance," Some documentation, especially the requirement for copies to different institutions, is still being done manually as a 'parallel run' but this will be phased out once the online system is fully operational.

The final target is to give only one hard copy to Customs and for everything else to be done electronically. This will reduce cumbersome work and storage.

It will also reduce unnecessary costs spent on hard copies and on travel to the port in a congested environment, Ports Authority sources said.

Iran invests US$ 500,000 for boat construction project

A Sri Lankan and an Iranian company signed an MoU for the manufacture of a variety of boats.

The project will cover the manufacture of different kinds of boats including vessels for fishing, pleasure, leisure, passenger and fast inshore boats. The project which is to be located at Hendala, Wattala, will have an investment of US$ 500,000.The project will create employment opportunities for 300-500 local workers.

The Chief Guest at this event was Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Dr Sarath Amunugama, who actively promoted Sri Lankan-Iranian economic ties.

Commenting on the project Minister Amunugama said that yachting, as a leisure had not really developed in the Subcontinent in contrast with East Asia and the Persian Gulf areas.

Sri Lanka is very much dependent on land based tourism; and whale watching has been identified as an attractive area in tourism.

The construction of yachts in Sri Lanka offered potential to upgrade the Sri Lankan tourism industry by offering highly qualitative products.

The MOU was signed recently at the Hilton Hotel by Chairman of FRP Services and Co P.S (Dudley) Fernando and by Managing Director and Vice President of Fulton Yachts International of Tehran, Iran Ali Zamani Nasser.

Nasser was upbeat about the visit to Sri Lanka, adding that it had been most fruitful. Fulton Yachts was able to gauge first hand the potential Sri Lanka offered. Adding that Sri Lanka can do with the sea and it was a good opportunity for sharing technology between the two countries. He was confident that relations would be further expanded.

DHL demonstrates market, service leadership

DHL, the world's leading express and logistics company, won four prestigious awards at the '2008 Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards' (AFSCA) held in Singapore. The awards win clearly underscores the company's market leadership and service excellence in Asia Pacific.

The ceremony recognised DHL in the categories of Best Lead Logistics Provider, Best Contract Logistics Provider, Best 3PL, and Best Project Cargo Forwarder. This achievement validates the company's unparalleled leadership in providing customised and integrated express and logistical solutions from a single contact point. DHL's strong showing at the annual AFSCA also reflects its proven ability to achieve consistency in service quality, innovation, customer relationship management and reliability.

Chief Executive Officer, DHL Exel Supply Chain - Asia Pacific Paul Graham noted: "We are delighted to win Best 3PL and Best Lead Logistics Provider, as well as Best Contract Logistics Provider - a new category introduced this year. The accolades reaffirm the value of DHL's relentless pursuit towards product and service enhancements to offer best-in-class supply chain solutions to our customers."

Chief Executive Officer, DHL Global Forwarding - Asia Pacific Peter Landsiedel added: "These achievements reaffirm our position as the leader in the air and ocean freight forwarding industry. We will continue to build on this solid foundation to further enhance our extensive spectrum of integrated logistics solutions, and provide the highest level of products and service quality in the industry."