Financial Times

Turning containers into cheap accommodation
By Quintus Perera
Logiventures, a member of the Hayleys Group has emerged with a novel venture that converts old containers into portable and fairly cheap accommodation units to combat the pressing problem of housing caused by the recent tsunami devastation.

Each completed unit is furnished with features including doors, windows, lighting, insulation, air conditioning and toilets all to meet with customer specifications.

These modified containers used in sea freight are foreign owned. Although discarded after four years, they have a life which stretches for twenty years.

The ability to relocate these mini 'apartments' serves to combat the problem of accommodation even in the worst tsunami affected areas. "We have brought down the cost to the minimum to be affordable and with all the necessary comfort. We are able to keep the cost down as we use the best local expertise from our own staff," said Captain Lasitha Cumaratunga, General Manager, Logiventures Ltd.

Custom designed for specific facilities such as site officers, restaurants and canteen premises, the containers could also be used as special bank branches, show casing venue for products or a research station in the outback with the least difficulty.

Somewhat unconventional, the 'container accommodation', is weather resistant and able to withstand rigid maritime conditions. The boxes are 8.5 feet tall, eight feet wide and 20 feet long. Each container is able to hold up to four people.

In addition double-decker facilities (containers placed one on top of the other), could also be used to serve special purposes. Normal accommodation and living are also possible, since the container arrangement is different from bulky conventional living, along with its cost effective price.

Before the tsunami devastation the Hayleys Group converted two containers a day. With the increase in demand they now convert between eight and ten containers. A subsidiary of Maritime Holdings, the company focuses on innovative services and products, while their main concentration is in selling and leasing containers.

Their comprehensive range of containers includes dry-freight, refrigerated and rigged containers. They also have flat -racks, open tops and reefers. Logiventures also provides warehouse storage facilities which have modern handling equipment and facilities for the storage of most types of cargoes. It specialises in cargo handling services, lashing services and crane services as well.

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