Ceylon Chamber of Shipping to strengthen Sri Lanka’s maritime future

US-FMC Chairman Laura DiBella (centre) with Ceylon Chamber of Shipping Secretary General Colonel Nalin Herath (right) and Shippers’ Academy Colombo Founder Rohan Masakorala

US-FMC Commissioner Robert J. Harvey (centre) with Ceylon Chamber of Shipping Secretary General Colonel Nalin Herath (right) and Shippers’ Academy Colombo Founder Rohan Masakorala

Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof (right) launches the website of Ceylon Chamber of Shipping

The Ceylon Chamber of Shipping (CCS), established to provide a unified platform and collective voice for Sri Lanka’s maritime and shipping industry, was officially launched on 9 September, at the Colombo International Maritime Conference held at the Radisson Blu, Colombo.

The official unveiling of the Chamber’s website was carried out by United States Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Laura DiBella, Commissioner Robert J. Harvey, and the Governor of the Western Province Hanif Yusoof  marking an important milestone in Sri Lanka’s continuing efforts to strengthen its position as a leading maritime hub in the Indian Ocean.

The launch took place during the Colombo International Maritime Conference organised by Shippers’ Academy Colombo, bringing together senior international maritime officials, industry leaders, government representatives and other stakeholders.

The Ceylon Chamber of Shipping brings together ship owners, operators, shipping agents, logistics providers, Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) and maritime service providers under one unified platform. The Chamber seeks to strengthen industry representation while promoting collaboration, professionalism, operational excellence and international connectivity.

Sri Lanka occupies a strategically important position along some of the world’s busiest maritime routes. With Colombo already established as a significant regional transshipment hub, the Chamber aims to contribute to the country’s broader ambition of developing a competitive, resilient and globally connected maritime economy.

The Chamber will work closely with government institutions, port authorities, international maritime organisations and private-sector stakeholders to contribute to stronger policy frameworks, improved operational efficiency, sustainable maritime practices and greater international connectivity.

Capacity building and knowledge sharing will also form an important part of the Chamber’s work, with particular emphasis on developing the next generation of maritime professionals and strengthening collaboration across the wider maritime community.

The concept of establishing a unified Chamber representing the broader shipping and maritime sector originated from a wider strategic perspective on Sri Lanka’s maritime potential.

The idea was first conceived while Colonel Nalin Herath was serving at the Ministry of Defence and subsequently as Director General of the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS). His work in the fields of national security, international relations and maritime affairs highlighted the strategic importance of viewing Sri Lanka’s maritime sector not only from a shipping perspective, but as a critical component of the country’s national economic and strategic future.

Recognising the need for stronger coordination within the maritime industry, Colonel Herath approached Shippers’ Academy Colombo Founder Rohan Masakorala, and shared the concept of establishing a stronger collective platform for the shipping community.

Masakorala supported the initiative and played an important role in taking the concept forward. The support, expertise and industry network of Shippers’ Academy Colombo were instrumental in bringing the idea to fruition. The establishment of the Ceylon Chamber of Shipping therefore represents the coming together of a strategic vision and industry expertise, with the shared objective of positioning Sri Lanka more strongly within the rapidly evolving global maritime landscape. The Chamber acknowledges with appreciation the contribution of Masakorala and Shippers’ Academy Colombo in supporting the development and establishment of this initiative.

A maritime platform for the future

The Ceylon Chamber of Shipping believes that Sri Lanka’s maritime opportunity extends well beyond the traditional shipping and port sectors. It encompasses logistics, maritime services, technology, human capital, trade facilitation, maritime security, sustainability and the country’s wider role as a gateway between East and West.

The Chamber will therefore seek to facilitate greater dialogue between industry and government, strengthen international partnerships and create opportunities for Sri Lankan maritime businesses to engage more effectively with global markets. The launch of the Chamber comes at a time when the maritime industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by geopolitical developments, technological change, supply-chain restructuring, environmental considerations and increasing competition among regional maritime hubs.

Against this backdrop, the Chamber intends to provide a platform through which Sri Lanka’s maritime stakeholders can collectively respond to emerging challenges and take advantage of new opportunities.

Driven by integrity, professionalism and a forward-looking approach, the Ceylon Chamber of Shipping will work towards supporting a competitive, resilient and globally aligned shipping sector that contributes significantly to Sri Lanka’s national economy. The Chamber also sees its role as contributing to the broader positioning of Sri Lanka as a strategic maritime gateway in the Indian Ocean and as a trusted partner within the global maritime community.

The successful launch of the Ceylon Chamber of Shipping marks the beginning of a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s maritime journey, bringing together industry stakeholders around a common vision of a stronger, more competitive and internationally connected maritime nation.