Discussions aim at increasing volumes at POC
A high profile delegation from the Port of Colombo recently embarked on a three-day business promotion visit to the V.O.Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port Authority) in Tuticorin, India. The delegation headed by Mr. Keith D. Bernard – Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), included representatives from SLPA, South Asia Gateway Terminals, and the Colombo International Container Terminals. The visit took place from July 10th to July 13th, 2023.
The 1st session organized with the Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal Private Limited was held at VOC Port Authority. Deputy Chairman of the VOC Port Trust – Mr. Bimal Kumar Jha chaired the discussions. The discussions were also attended by the VOC Port Authority’s Honorary Secretary – Mr. J.P.Villavarayar and the Traffic Manager – Mr. R.Prabakar.
At the visit, the delegation participated in the trade interactive session aimed at establishing a robust networking system between the Port of Colombo and Tuticorin. The session garnered attendance from over 100 participants, including trade fraternity from Tuticorin, as well as Heads of Shipping lines, feeder services, and other relevant stakeholders. It took place at Sathya Resorts in Tuticorin.
At the Session, the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority – Mr. Keith D Bernard emphasized the developments taking place in the Port of Colombo at present, facilities provided at terminals and its future forecasts.
“Both the Colombo and Tuticorin ports, situated in the Indian Ocean region, hold strategic importance as key maritime trade hubs. Establishing a commercial shipping trade relationship between these ports presents numerous opportunities for collaboration and growth.
From January to May of this year, Colombo has welcomed a total of 98 Container vessels through the Tuticorin Service, resulting in a volume of 92,265 TEUs. Due to increased efficiency and productivity, it is expected that this figure will surpass the total volume of 271,179 TEUs handled in the previous year, which was achieved through 161 vessel calls under the same service,” he said.
The duration of sea travel between Tuticorin and Colombo typically ranges from 12 to 18 hours. According to shipping line information, it takes only 0.5 days for a container vessel to arrive from Tuticorin to Colombo.
Further discussions between the POC delegation and the VOC Port Authority in Tuticorin covered key points including measures to implement competitive rates, facilitation for priority berthing with a designated window at the terminal, upgrading equipment and enhancing facilities, connections with lesser transit times, recognition of NVOCCs to be provided with direct billing facilities, measures to be taken for container damages inside the port, having a common float covering all 4 terminals in terms of bank guarantees for NVOCCs, allowing long-stay containers to be re-exported and also possible measures to release unauthorized import containers.
The delegation from the POC also partnered the 14th SOUTH EAST CEO CONCLAVE & AWARDS 2023 held on 12th July 2023 at the ITC Grand Chola, Chennai. The awards night had been organized and coordinated by the Managing Editor of EXIM INDIA – Mr. Jayadeep Vijayan.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s Actg. Additional Managing Director (Operations) – Mr. Lal Weerasinghe, Director (Marketing & Media) – Mr. K.G. Sarath Dayananda, South Asia Gateway Terminals’ (SAGT) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Mr. Romesh David, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) – Mr. Ted Hiran Muttiah, Asst.Manager – Commercial Ms.Kalani Dasanayake, Colombo International Container Terminals’ Senior General Manager – Ms.Catriona Jayasundera, Deputy General Manager Commercial and Marketing – Mr.A.M.P. Chandima R. B. Senevirathne, Asst, Manager Commercial and Marketing – Ms.Oshini Perera and West Container International Terminal’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Harikrisnan Sundarm also attended the visit.
