CASA Maritime Conference 2022: New technology in green shipping

The CASA Maritime Conference 2022 was held on 6 October at the Grand Ballroom – Hotel Galadari focusing on the theme ‘New technology in green shipping’ celebrating World Maritime Day 2022 which fell on 29 September.

The event was addressed by CASA Chairperson Shehara De Silva and Chief Guest for the event, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva. While speaking at the event the Minister recalled Sri Lanka’s rich maritime history and went on to emphasise on prioritising the local investors when awarding projects in the maritime industry.

The keynote was delivered by SLASSCOM Vice Chairman and JKH Group Infomate Ltd. CEO Jehan Perinpanayagam.

It was also interesting to note that CASA conducted the lighting of the oil lamp digitally, an industry first, once again highlighting its commitment towards digitalising the maritime industry, while stressing on the need to digitalise the processes in the local shipping industry if Sri Lanka is serious about moving ahead with the region and creating a sustainable maritime industry.

The three key focus areas of the conference were: Towards a sustainable future – the green transition of the maritime industry from a terminal perspective, Digitalisation – role of technology in the maritime & logistics industry – stakeholder’s perspective, and finally, Marine waste management; oil pollution; sustainability & energy transition – greener shipping –LNG/Fuel.

The green transition of the maritime industry from a terminal perspective

The first session of the day was on the lines of ‘Green initiatives carried out in terms of the equipment & processes used’. Conducted by Colombo West international Terminal (CWIT) Chief Executive Officer Harikrishnan Sundaram, followed by South Asia Gateway Terminals Ltd. (SAGT) Chief Operating Officer Upul Jinadasa, who spoke on sustainable initiatives carried out; in terms of GRI, EDA process and other digitalisation initiatives. Thereafter General Manager – Engineering Hugo Zou and Deputy General Manager – Operation Allen Qian from Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd. (CICT) touched on sustainable initiatives carried out; in terms of productivity, efficiency drives to alleviate SL’s proposition as a transhipment hub, and finally Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Deputy Chief Engineer, Planning and Development Geethika Perera spoke on the progress of the Port Community System which will be implemented soon.

For the panel discussion that followed, the four expert speakers were joined by panellist -Hambantota International Port Group Ltd. (HIPG) Senior General Manager – HR and ADM Jeevan Premasara and the session was moderated by Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd. Chief Operating Officer – Freight Sector, Assistant Vice President – Business Development Maritime, Freight and Logistics Sectors Dhashma Karunaratne.

Digitalisation – Role of technology in the maritime and logistics industry – stakeholder’s perspective

A post-lunch session titled ‘Digitalisation – Role of technology in the maritime and logistics industry-stakeholders perspective’ saw EFL Global Chief Digital Officer Ahmed Irfan, Maersk Line Head of Sales and Commercial for Sri Lanka and Maldives Fawmy Siddeek, Sri Lanka Customs Deputy Director ICT Division Thilaka Pragnaratne and CASA Chairman Documentation IT Committee and General Manager, Hayleys Advantis, Information Systems Chrishantha Fernando as speakers.

Kale Logistics Director Vineet Malhotra joined the panel discussion along with the speakers and the discussion was moderated by Youngship Patron and GAC Logistics Head of Liner and Logistics Products Navin Perera, and Youngship Vice Chairman and Meridian Maritime Services Ltd. Director Operations Maleena Awn.

Marine waste management; oil pollution; sustainability and energy transition – greener shipping – LNG/Fuel

Moving on to the final session of the conference, it mainly focused on ‘Marine waste management, oil pollution, sustainability and energy transition – greener shipping – LNG/Fuel’. For this unique and timely session the speakers consisted of University of Ruhuna Professor in Oceanography Prof. Turney Pradeep Kumara, Environmental Foundation Ltd. Director Dr. Sewwandi Jayakody, UN Global Compact Network Executive Director Rathika De Silva, and Hayleys Energy Services Lanka Ltd. Director/CEO Ricky Barnett.

In the subsequent panel discussion, the speakers joined the moderators, McLarens Group Management Ltd. Group Chief Commercial Officer Mahesh Kurukulasuriya and GAC Shipping Ltd. Manager – Commercial Anjalika Perera.

Main sponsors were Colombo Logistics and Smart Marine Lanka and Hayleys Energy Services. Co-session sponsors were Kale Logistics, Inchcape Shipping Services and EFL.

Pix by Upul Abeyasekara