Business Times

Colombo port volumes drop

By Sunimalee Dias

Colombo port volumes dropped by 2.2% in January this year compared to the same period in 2011 with shipping experts saying it needs to improve its competitiveness and efficiency. "We have had a serious capacity problem, and this is currently being improved,” says Shippers Academy CEO and Ports and Airports Strategic Enterprise Management Agency Senior Consultant Rohan Masakorala, who also believes that increasing cost competitiveness and efficiency are key factors that need to be tackled. He pointed out that the labour issues of efficiency at the Colombo port needs to be tackled as most workers are found to be "lazy".

In this regard, while increased motivation to perform better is necessary, workers also need training programmes to equip themselves to face challenges of meeting upto expectations in comparison to other regional ports. The drop in volumes was experienced at a time when the volumes from Asia to Europe increased by 6% in the same month despite the recession in Europe that also caused freight rates to increase by 30%, officials said. However, SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath Wickrama told the Business Times that volumes from Asia to Europe had dropped due to the extended winter in Europe.

He noted that there was no congestion at the Colombo port today with productivity having increased since the SLPA purchased new equipment worth US$101 million. The domestic volume had observed a growth of 11% in January while trans-shipment had dropped by 9% and South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) volumes also dropped by 7.2%. However, other officials at the SLPA, who declined to be named, note that Colombo port efficiency was the reason shipping lines were losing confidence in Colombo. While Mr. Masakorala opines the challenge is to boost the level of productivity to around 30 moves per hour to reach upto international standards, and other officials believe the port needs at least 27-28 moves per hour, authorities are currently working on increasing moves upto an average of only 25 moves per hour. The constraints on the Colombo port were mainly due to the lack of required training for its workforce who therefore displayed inefficiency.

SLPA officials said that with the new Maersk CMA joint venture the two new loops that would be introduced in March were likely to omit Colombo and instead have selected Singapore and the Port Kelang in Malaysia as their transshipment hub. Meanwhile, commenting on vessels bypassing Colombo, which the authorities believe is not happening today, Mr. Masakorala said this was mainly due to the water basin's inability to handle a number of ships. He noted that the continuous delay in the Colombo South Harbour has caused this as currently there are restrictions and limitation in the water basin area. It was pointed out that during the monsoon period most vessels would bypass Colombo; and also the feeder vessels would have to stay in the outer harbour if a mother vessel is operating which is given priority over others.

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other Business Times Articles
Hayleys, LOLC concerned over Fitch ratings
H'tota vehicle imports plan delayed till May
Sampath in talks to raise Tier 2 capital
Over half a million vehicles imported in 2011
Lanka Tractors to file international case over land take-over
Herbal medicine plant
Comment - Landmark national census takes off
Many fund managers moving out of frontier markets like Sri Lanka
One head is better than two
Winning the numbers game
BTG Pactual files for Brazil's most-coveted IPO
No cause for alarm over fuel price hikes
Funding a start-up venture
S&P’s lower rating of SL’s foreign currency rating unwarranted, says CB
Galle port unique position to resolve Somali pirate crisis
LOLC’s investment appetite for market-risk instruments rises : Fitch
Triad moves to spanking new “open office”
Raigam starts operations at the first ‘pure’ salt plant in the island
Intl. accreditation guidelines ignored by private hospitals : SLMA President
Nakauchi to address Japanese Management Seminar
Experience Colombo aboard “8° on the Lake”
Sri Lanka’s e-Motoring project to clear the hurdle of funding
Porsche car sales record a new high in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka earns Rs.717 mln from annual taxes’ on 'luxury cars’
Sharp rise in vehicle imports, CCC says
Suzuki Maruti sets new record on sales of 10 m units in India
Returning to the days of high turnovers
Bileeta's flagship ERP on 'local business practice' gaps
IT/BPO growth in SL 'set back' by office space, language, staff shortages
Mobile devices and tablets flood Mobile World Congress 2012
Investors at BOI industrial parks protest over annual ground rent increase
LAUGFS to invest Rs.45 mln on bottle plant
New hotel projects encounter rising land prices : report
AirAsia connects Colombo to exotic destinations
Sri Lankan economy over-heated
Samurdhi takes away incentive to work for rural poor : Amunugama
Post tax profit of Rs 8 bln at Combank after pre-tax return of Rs 10 bln
Colombo port volumes drop
Government misguided by tourism industry “cartel” : Inbound tours chief
Nestle’s post-tax profits up in challenging 2011 year
HNB records a PAT of Rs. 6.2 bln amidst strong challenges in 2011
Avani Bentota Resort and Spa welcomes 1000th guest after December launch
RAM upholds "A-" for Lankem
NDB shows strong loan growth; best quality loan book in the industry
Chartered ship brings in Millers Brewery equipment
Atom LED Televisions launched in the Middle East

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 1996 - 2012 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved | Site best viewed in IE ver 8.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution