Sharp increase in throughput, vessel turnaround:
Capt. Nihal Keppetipola |
IT helps improve daily operations at Colombo Port
Charumini de Silva
Information Technology (IT) has played an important role in
increasing the number of vessels being handled at the Colombo Port. With
the introduction of the computerized terminal management system the
throughput and the vessel turnaround has increased sharply.
With this, the hourly productivity of the throughput has also
increased up to 20 - 25 percent, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA),
Managing Director, Captain Nihal Keppetipola told Daily News Business.
There was a decrease in the number of inward vessels due to the
global economic downturn during the past several months. However, with
the dawn of peace and with the global economy recovering from the crisis
we expect this downward trend to change to an upward trend in the near
future.
The SLPA has provided many facilities for shipping lines even during
the time of the economic meltdown and we have signed several agreements
with new shipping lines. Therefore, we hope to handle more business and
we expect to increase our income and profits in the near future, he
said.
Colombo Port |
* Hourly
productivity of throughput increases by 25 percent
* SLPA provides many facilities
for shipping lines
* Colombo Port to become Port
hub of South Asia |
He said the Colombo Port is in a strategic geographical position and
has the advantage of being in the main East - West shipping routes. This
has made the Colombo Port to be the best port in the region. With work
commencing on the Hambantota and Oluvil Ports and with the expansion of
the Colombo harbour we could compete with the other regional ports. This
would help the country to become the Port hub of South Asia.
The Colombo Port handles 10,000 operations daily, where it
contributes immensely to the country’s economy. The north entrance of
the Colombo harbour that remained closed for some years due to terrorism
was re-opened recently and the port’s capacity has increased to handle
more services. Therefore, the SLPA expects the future to be more
profitable, Keppetipola said. |