Business Shipping

Freight forwarders expertise stressed

Hiran H. Senewiratne

Sri Lankan Freight Forwarders should use their expertise in international trade to modernise the island’s archaic, domestic trade, Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders Association (SLAFFA) official said.

The inefficiencies in internal trade damage the economy to a greater extent as well as on individuals. In view of this the transport commission is now in the process of drafting a land transport policy including the freight transport.

Improving efficiencies in internal transport and logistics could yield significant economic benefits, SLAFFA spokesman said.

SLAFFA should not only be concerned with the international trade but also look at domestic trade, which is professed in civil engineering, department of transport and logistics at the Moratuwa University.

There is a large amount of waste and inefficiency in domestic trade, he said. Poor internal transport, results in heavy wastage in the agriculture sector with a large percent of farm produce being spoiled or damaged by the time they reach markets.

Inefficient truck running and poor storage are reasons for the wastage and damage of up to 40 percent in agriculture SLAFFA spokesman said.

The government is always battling the high cost of living, which is highly inflated by losses owing to inefficiencies in the transport system. Pettah, is described as the nerve centre of freight forwarding in domestic transport, archaic methods but equipment are still in use.

While it ensures low-wage employment for men and the carts are useful in negotiating with all stakeholders was important to use modern systems and technology in transport and logistics as well as pay attention to reducing damage to the environment.

“K” Line’s gets ISO

Together with the New Ship and Hull Group of “K” Line Ship Management Co., Ltd., “K” Line’s Ship Planning Group has acquired accreditation under ISO9001, the international quality-control standard, for its new shipbuilding planning, design and development, determination of shipbuilding specifications, procedures for approval of approved drawings after shipbuilding-contracts, and performing supervisory activities during shipbuilding from the Norwegian shipping classification society Det Norske Veritas (DNV).

“To contribute to our corporate principles of “marine safety” and “environmental preservation,” we have incorporated techniques required by the widely internationally-recognised ISO9001 standard in a review of our business practices spanning the entire scope of shipbuilding from the initial shipbuilding planning stage to completion of construction aimed at realising highly cost-competitive shipbuilding while paying close attention to the performance, quality and specifications required by customers,” a “K” Line official said.

Taking advantage of the opportunity afforded us by this accreditation, the “K” Line Group will focus its efforts on contributing to the preservation of the environment and meeting the needs of society through the provision of environment-friendly energy-conserving ships capable of meeting the ever-growing demand for high standards of safety and low environmental impact.

Duel celebration at Dockyard

Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) achieved two important milestones in ship building recently.

The launching of the third 80 ton bollard pull Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel (AHTSV), as well as the Keel laying of first vessel of a series of four Multipurpose Platform Supply Vessels (MPSV) are both scheduled to be carried out at an auspicious time in the morning hours.

The event marks the successful launching of the third AHTSV of a series of four vessels that CDPLC is building for the Greatship India Limited (GIL). GIL is a wholly owned subsidiary of one of India’s largest private sector shipping companies, the Great Eastern Shipping Company, who is in the business of providing offshore oil field services catering to the oil and gas E&P domain. The first AHTSV Greatship Anjali was delivered in January 2008 and the second AHTSV Greatship Amrita was delivered in April 2008.

The AHTSV that is launched is named Greatship Abha and will immediately go in for machinery installation, piping, electrical and ship outfitting work and is scheduled to join her sister vessels end of this year.

CDPLC also commenced construction of first of a series of four Multipurpose Platform Supply Vessels (MPSV) contracted for the Greatship Global Offshore Services Pte Limited of Singapore.

78 m in length, with a 3000 deadweight capacity, the MPSVs shall be built to latest designs and shall be equipped with the latest technologies to guarantee the best safety conditions during operation. Equipped with diesel electric propulsion consisting of two MaK 8 M 25 Main Engines each developing a propulsive power of 2320 kW at 720 rpm and driving two Berg Controllable Pitch Propellers provides a high level of manoeuvrability, optimum efficiency and cost effective operation for the Vessel.

This MPSV is particularly designed for unrestricted service and to carry out multipurpose roles in the offshore and is also capable of conducting sub sea operations in deep waters using Remotely Operated Vehicles. The MPSV will also be pre-equipped to receive a 50 ton SWL anti heave compensation type crane.

The MPSVs have been designed to the transport of various products and can carry 1000 tons of deck cargo, 950 m3 of fuel oil, 750 m3 of fresh water, 1000 m3 liquid mud, 800 m3 of brine, 150 m3 Methanol and 370 m3 of dry cement required by the offshore platforms.

Two 900 kw transverse bow thrusters and two 400 kw stern transverse thrusters will provide the necessary side thrust for manoeuvring, station keeping and Dynamic Positioning (DP) operations and shall be classed to DP 2.

The wheelhouse is designed to provide excellent visibility to the horizon as well as over the aft working deck. All navigation and communication electronic equipment planned shall be supplied by European Makers to increase reliability.

The crew of 50 shall be provided with fully air conditioned, comfortable elegant living quarters matching the world standards available on a vessel of this class.

These MPSVs shall be built to meet clients future demands for safety, manoeuvrability, environment protection and productivity.