YoungShip organises visit to Hambantota Port

YoungShip Sri Lanka held its inaugural event for the next generation of the maritime industry with a visit to the Hambantota Port on 24 November. At the port of Hambantota, the YoungShip members were welcomed by LAUGFS Group Chairman W.K.H. Wegapitiya along with Tissa Wickramasinghe from the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Ravi Jayawickrama from the Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS). This was followed by an insightful presentation by Wegapitiya with regard to the recently completed LAUGFS terminal and the future potential for Sri Lanka in the export of gas resources. 

Wegapitiya’s presentation was followed by a presentation by Nishantha Gamage on behalf of HIPG, where he briefed the participants on the progress made by HIPG after the takeover and also about the future plans to convert Hambantota into a vibrant port and city. Afterwards the participants were given the opportunity to observe a bird’s eye view of the entire port and its facilities from the 12th floor of the administration building.

Afterwards the YoungShip participants were given the rare opportunity to enter the high security zone of the Port of Hambantota. Initially the participants were shown the piers which are used to dock the car carriers and bulk vessels which was completed under phase 1 and 2. Participants were then taken to the newly opened laughs terminal which is the largest of its kind in the region, followed by a detailed description of the tanks, pump system, fire prevention system and also a look into the automated control room of the facility.

YoungShip Sri Lanka is a part of YoungShip International which was formed to be the voice for young people in the maritime industry. YoungShip is involved in two awards, one that promotes young entrepreneurs and the other is awarded to those companies that clearly promote young professionals. Headquartered in Norway, YoungShip is present in 18 countries with a membership of over 3000. The Norway branch has a 350-strong membership and we are pleased to announce that the Sri Lankan branch is the newest addition to this global network with a strong membership of 250 members. YoungShip Sri Lanka functions under the aegis of the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA).