CASA-ICS (UK) hold Maritime and Supply Chain International Conference

Panel discussion

A section of the audience  

• Organised in celebration of World Maritime Day
• Endorsed by Ministry of Ports and Shipping and Southern Development and SLPA

The Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) with the Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers (UK)/Sri Lanka Branch organised the CASA-ICS Maritime and Supply Chain International Conference to celebrate World Maritime Day declared by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). 

The international conference was the only maritime and supply chain conference endorsed by the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and Southern Development and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). The sessions were held on 25 September at Hotel Galadari and was followed by cocktails. 

​​The World Maritime Day theme for the year is ‘Empowering Women in the Maritime Community’. This provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and to highlight the important – yet underutilised – contribution of women within the maritime sector.

Minister of Ports and Shipping and Sothern Development Sagala Ratnayaka attended the conference as the Chief Guest. In his speech the Minister reiterated the commitment of the Government to build port capacity through expediting port expansion projects and said that all steps had been taken to expedite the East Container Terminal. The Minister pointed out that the industry was moving full steam ahead towards overhauling how ships get their power. 

Maritime environmental efforts have resulted in the implementation of a mandate starting on 1 January 2020, to drastically reduce maritime sulphur emissions, which, according to scientists, pose a severe environmental threat. 

ICS International Chairman Theo Collianders addressed the gathering and explained the importance of education and knowledge sharing to face the challenges faced by the industry. 

CASA Chairman and Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd. Managing Director Iqram Cuttilan explained the purpose of organising the conference and thanked the Ministry and SLPA for endorsing the conference. 

The conference was structured under five sessions, namely, ‘Maritime Industry – Navigating through Challenging Times,’ ‘Ports in Region and Sri Lanka – Do they Complement or Compete?’ ‘Disruptions in the Supply Chain,’ ‘Sustainability and Diversity’ and ‘Changing Energy Mix and Implications for the Shipping Industry’. Each session was followed by a panel discussion which led to a fruitful discussion. The various sessions focused on the global developments and best practices which can be learnt and implemented by Sri Lanka.