Anchoring for progress

Monday, 5 August 2013 00:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

First caller CMA CGM’s Executive Officer Farid Salem say Sri Lanka is poised for a great leap forward with opening of $ 500 m new deep sea port today

By Cheranka Mendis Sri Lanka is set to make the big leap towards becoming a centre for maritime excellence in the region with the opening of a deep sea port under the Colombo Port Expansion Project’s first terminal - the $ 500 million Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) - today. The world’s third leading container shipping company CMA CGM’s vessel ‘CMA CGM Pegasus’ which trades between Europe and Asia will make the maiden call, signalling other deep sea mega carriers to come to Colombo. With a depth of 18 metres, the terminal stands to attract more traffic as it is located at the gateway of subcontinents of the east and west coasts, CMA CGM’s Executive Officer and Director of the Board Farid Salem said.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily FT yesterday, Salem noted that Sri Lanka has every chance to realise its aspirations of becoming a maritime hub in the region. “You have all the chances,” he said, “You have a deep sea port for mega carriers and a beautiful and strategic geographic location. Most importantly, you have a stable Government. We are happy with that.”

Currently serving eight trades from Colombo which includes East Africa, West Africa, Far East Asia, Europe, East Mediterranean, West Mediterranean, Australia, and Russia, CMA GCM is confident that with the opening of the new terminal CICT, and the future launch of the west and east terminals, this is a call on mega carriers to come. “My only recommendation is that you form a free port situation, through which in two to three years time, you will have made a big leap forward.” “I think the moment is very opportune today because there are economic indicators that show Sri Lanka is on the forward advance. I landed this morning (yesterday) in the international airport and it has changed to offer very nice international standards, which is very important to a country in progress. The port that I saw from outside is very impressive. Everything is assembled and you are ready for a big jump forward,” Salem expressed. CMA CGM Group is represented by CMA CGM Lanka Ltd, a subsidiary of Hayleys Advantis Limited. With the new terminal opening and the various advantages it would offer, the Group is confident that it can improve its status within the Colombo carrier circle in a few years. “With the opening of the CICT, we will see new and major development in the fututre. We will also develop ourselves in the same way. Today we are carrier number five in Colombo Sri Lanka among 26 carriers. We are aiming to become the fourth or the third in no time.” Salem added: “With Colombo offering friendly measures to help the shipping industry as well as for manufacturers where they can operate in exports and/or imports, it will bring an atmosphere of good business and honest development to this part of the world.”