Shipping industry wants ECT fast-tracked
View(s):Sri Lanka’s shipping industry has requested authorities to fast-track the operationalisation of the East Container Terminal (ECT) in a bid to overcome the perception that Colombo Port is congested and can accommodate vessels without berthing delays.
Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) Chairman Iqram Cuttilan said they had written to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) last week requesting authorities to fast-track the operationalisation of the ECT.
Raising concerns of efficiency at the ECT, Mr. Cuttilan said they hoped the ECT will be operated faster as they fear should the SLPA handle operations at this new terminal it could lead to lower efficiency levels compared to the other privately-run terminals like the South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) and the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT).
Both SAGT and CICT operate at a 40-50 per cent higher rate of efficiency compared to the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) run by the SLPA, he said.
Loading and discharging is around 30 movements per hour (MPH) at CICT and SAGT but at JCT it is only 20 MPH, he noted. Another concern is the challenge the authorities would face in raising around US$560 million for the purchase of equipment like ship to shore gantry cranes and RTG gantry cranes that would take about a minimum of 18 months to place the order and deliver. In addition to this there is also the concern that the government procurement procedure too has to be carried out that is also a time consuming process, he noted.
Moreover, Mr. Cuttilan pointed out that the perception of the Colombo Port as a congested port could be overcome should they operationalise the ECT in order to inform shipping lines that there would not be any more delays.
In order to do so however, the industry needs to be given a timeline on the operationalisation of the ECT, he said.
Mr. Cuttilan said they hoped the ECT will be run on a new model with the establishment of a Computer Terminal Operating System as opposed to the manual systems adopted.
Meanwhile, the ECT has an outsourced cadre with overseas Sri Lankan returnees and retirees but what is needed is a set of people that will ensure a high level of efficiency to act in competition with the other terminals, he noted.
During the third quarter there is likely to be a general pick up in the number of vessels calling at the Colombo Port as a result of which the port needs to be ready, he said adding that otherwise there could be tight situation that Colombo would have to face up to. (SD)