With reliability and innovation as its primary focus, Hambantota International Port (HIP) is fast gearing to become the most efficient port in the region. Last week the port set a record by reducing 57% operational time in discharging marine fuel cargo of MV Yanbu. HIP also kicked off its first ever dual cargo loading operation at the port’s oil jetty, loading both MGO and VLSFO at the same time on to tanker Mahaweli. This is the first time HIP facilitated the loading of 2 types of marine fuel cargo onto a single vessel simultaneously.
“The port’s efficiency is driven on Key Performance Indicators at every level, beginning from truck drivers upwards. Keeping to efficiency levels in a multipurpose port is that much more challenging because the same work force is used for different types of cargo handling, and unlike in a container port, it is also more labour intensive. Therefore keeping our efficiency levels up also includes keeping the morale up and this is primarily done through ensuring a safe environment at work. Health and safety is our highest priority not only for our own staff but for every one of our partner organisations. This is a benchmark set for us by our global partner CMPort,” says Johnson Liu; the CEO of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG).
HIP has already set a benchmark for their Lost Time Accident (LTA) Campaign, with the port’s Energy services department (ENS) successfully achieving their targeted 200,000 man hours during the 1st week of October. This was an important milestone in creating confidence amongst customers and in the market, particularly in the Oil and Gas sector, where safety is of utmost importance. Lost Time Accidents or “LTA” are work-related injuries that would prevent an injured employee from working at their posts after the accident. The ENS Department which prioritises safety and strives to maintain a zero accident work environment, kicked off the LTA campaign in January last year, achieving their set targets of 50,000 and 100,000 man hours. On achieving their 2022 target of 200,000 man hours, ENS is now in the process of achieving their 4th target of 300,000 hours.
With innovation at its core and a clear focus on prioritising safety, reliability and efficiency in all their operations Hambantota International Port is moving to position as the most skilled multipurpose port in the region.