'Economic crisis in the West and it's implications' seminar in Sri Lanka

CEO of The Global Institute of Logistics, USA Kieran Ring an internationally renowned speaker will be in Sri Lanka for the first time, to address the local audience on the captioned theme, at the International Seminar organized by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers - Sri Lanka Branch to coincide with their 25th Anniversary celebrations.

The Global Institute of Logistics (GIL) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2003 by the members of the Global Logistics Forum led by current CEO Kieran Ring, under the Chairmanship of the late Robert V. Delaney (1936-2004) the renowned US logistics commentator and author.

The Institute has been concerned with resolving the challenges that have beset the global maritime logistics chain as a consequence of a long tradition by the industry, domestically and internationally, of managing single transport modes and modal systems and setting targets on the efficiency of stand-alone logistics operations. This Modus Operandi has set in place a culture that 'disintegrates' rather than integrates our freight and supply chain systems. This culture has become all the more destructive with the lengthening of the supply chain as a result of global sourcing and selling.

Globalization is demanding new ways of thinking and new ways of dealing with the challenges of fully integrating business processes along extended and complex global maritime supply chain systems. The Institute has tasked itself with meeting this challenge head-on and acts as a Corporate University within the sector, bringing together thought leaders and thought followers as part of a global knowledge network committed to building up the information base, best practices and standards needed to achieve the objective of creating a seamless global maritime logistics system.

As a result of the Institute's research, it has become clear that the Port Authority is best placed to act as champion and orchestrator within the global supply chain system. A whole series of changes in the field of world economics, such as the globalization of production and consumption and the structural changes in inter-port relations, port-hinterland relationships and logistics, have strengthened the role of ports as nodes within the global transport system. In addition to this, the Port Authority has a natural access to all stakeholders and information necessary for the Port Authority to perform this role as champion.

Historically ports were measured on their ability to accommodate ships and other modes of transport effectively and efficiently. Contemporary developments in transportation, however, dictate that emphasis has shifted to the ability of ports to fulfill new roles in the logistics era within the context of operating as part of an integrated global supply chain system. The role of modern seaports involves integration into the supply chain, and fulfilling this role means greater ability of the port to satisfy customers and achieve its objectives. In this role, the port is considered as part of a cluster of organizations in which different logistics and transport operators are involved in bringing value to the final consumers. In order to be successful, such channels need to achieve a higher degree of coordination and cooperation. The determination of the parameters that encompass the extent of integration of ports/terminals in global supply chains has, therefore, become of great importance for ports.

The half-day Seminar has been scheduled to be held on Thursday the 09th February, 2012 commencing from 9.00 a.m. at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel. The theme of the Seminar, perhaps first of its kind and selected after much deliberations is very much seen as of current interest and expected to draw a cross section of the crowd from the middle-management level upwards of the local shipping industry including the Ports Authority, besides the foreign participants.