SLAVO AGM felicitates key stakeholders in shipping industry

Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators (SLAVO) recently felicitated the key stakeholders of the shipping industry at a ceremony that was followed by the Annual General Meeting. 

Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Gen. Daya Ratnayake, Sri Lanka Customs Director General Maj. Gen. Vijitha Ravipriya, Additional Director Sunil Jayarathne, Merchant Shipping Director General Ajith Seneviratne, SLPA Harbour Master Capt. Nirmal Silva and CEOs from two private terminals – Jack Huang from CICT and Romesh David from SAGT were present.   

Other distinguished guests were re-elected SLAVO Chairman Shamal Perera, Arjuna Hettiarachchi, Marius Gomez and Saliya Senananyake, as senior members as well as other members comprising Stuart Zhu, Capt. Mohit Chaturvedi, and Mevan Peiris graced this occasion. 

SLAVO’s re-elected Chairman Shamal Perera and members showed their appreciation to the special invitees by the presentation of plaques for their immense contribution to the smooth functioning of the industry during the lockdown. 

Perera echoed the valued support and encouragement given to SLAVO by all members during these unprecedented times. SLAVO played a key role during the lockdown to ensure smooth cargo movement until the country gradually started functioning according to the ‘new normal’, while adhering to Government directives following stringent safety measures. 

“I have confidence that all members will extend their support to me during the forthcoming coming period of 2020/2021 where SLAVO will continue to extend its fullest support to the trade, ensuring the overall benefits to principals thereby enhance business to the Port of Colombo,” Shamal said in his welcome speech.

“We greatly appreciate the timely and prudent measures taken by Gen. Daya Ratnayake as the SLPA Chairman for changing the course at SLPA and JCT towards progress and innovation through implementing best practices at the Port of Colombo. We are fortunate to have you at the helm during this period when the Port of Colombo was directly targeted as a hot spot for spread of COVID-19 but your exceptional role ensured the Port of Colombo was safe and secure,” Shamal said.

“We have confidence and hope you will continue with your vision to accomplish the goals by taking Port of Colombo to a greater heights while enabling it to be recognised as the best Transshipment Hub Port in the region,” SLAVO Chief said. 

He also appreciated all SLPA and JCT, CICT, SAGT staff who helped the maritime industry by attending to work under the country’s lockdown situation taking risks which resulted in Port of Colombo functioning uninterrupted during the lockdown period.   

Shamal said Maj. Gen. Vijitha Ravipriya took the initiative to utilise the e-platform which was in the pipeline for a long period of time until the lockdown was finally implemented under the leadership of DGC. 

“SLAVO in conjunction with the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) are keen to follow the current trend which is more effective and efficient and we appreciate the cooperation from Customs,” Shamal said. 

“Further, we highly appreciate the invaluable contribution and initiatives of Customs Additional Director General Sunil Jayarathne. The Shipping Trade recognised your services and dedication to rise to the occasion by guiding best solutions in a timely manner for the success of the trade.” 

He was instrumental in ensuring seamless function of paperless reporting and providing strategic solutions. Special appreciation was extended to Director General Merchant Shipping Sri Lanka (DGMS), Ajith Seneviratne for implementing the most relevant regulatory decisions for the trade while contributing immensely towards the operations during this period of time. 

“SLAVO would like to extend their appreciation to Harbour Master Capt. Nirmal and his team (all the pilots and associated staff) for their hard work and dedication at the Port of Colombo which continued uninterrupted especially during the COVID 19 period. 

“All Port uses are fortunate to have such a remarkable officers of this calibre in this seat that took practical and crucial decisions and ensure the Port of Colombo flag flies high in this region.” 

“Finally and most importantly, SLAVO would like to extend their appreciation to the two private Terminals, CICT and SAGT for the contribution to the Port of Colombo for managing the berthing of ships and handling cargo operations during the most crucial period of the lockdown due to COVID-19 in a timely manner. We appreciate CICT CEO Jack Huang and his staff as well as SAGT CEO Romesh David and staff for taking timely decisions and extending their cooperation to SLPA and Trade associations.  

“This great community along with their expertise and united efforts resulted in the Port of Colombo running smoothly during the two-month lockdown due to COVID-19 without any major labour issues or impact to ships,” SLAVO Chief Shamal said.

SLAVO is one of the oldest associations in the maritime industry of Sri Lanka. It represents the interest of foreign principals in Sri Lanka. It is also the only organisation that represents the ship owners and principals. It is considered a prestigious association as membership is exclusive and based on nominations from shipping line or principals. 

This is the reason SLAVO has a limited number of members. SLAVO’s main goal is to find the best solutions on areas concerning ship owners and principals. Established in 1995, SLAVO is actively consulted on matters concerning the industry and holds frequent dialogues with key governmental agencies.

The current membership comprises of nine member companies representing the interest of the principals of major container Shipping Lines operating in Colombo. 

At present the membership consists of SLAVO Chairman Shamal Perera representing MSC, Vice Chairman Siddarth Iyer representing Maersk, Honorary Treasurer Capt. Mohit Chaturvedi from Far Shipping, Executive Committee Member Arjuna Hettiarachchi from X-Press Feeders, Executive Committee Member Stuart Zhu from OOCL, Marius Gomez from Transworld Feeders, Saliya Senanayake from Feedertech, Capt. C.J. Lee of Evergreen Line, Mevan Peiris from Global Feeders, and SLAVO Secretary Asmara Hamin.

The membership meets once every two months to discuss current industry related matters and to find solutions to exigent issues faced by the Lines. Considered as one of the most prestigious associations, SLAVO is pivotal to the Shipping Trade of Sri Lanka. 

Back row from left: Mevan Peiris, Harbour Master Capt. Nirmal Silva, SLPA Chairman Gen. Daya Ratnayake, Arjuna Hettiarachchi, Stuart Zhu, Saliya Senanayake, and DGMS Ajith Seneviratne. Front row from left: Asmara Hamin, Marius Gomez, Capt. Mohit Chaturvedi, DGC Maj. Gen. Vijitha Ravipriya, Angela Ponnamperuma, Shamal Perera, CICT CEO Jack Huang, SLAVO Additional Director Sunil Jayarathne and SAGT CEO Romesh David 

From left: Asmara Hamin, Saliya Senanayake, Stuart Zhu, Capt. Mohit Chaturvedi, Shamal Perera, Arjuna Hettiarachchi, Mevan Peiris and Marius Gomez