Mv. HR Sarera becomes first post-COVID caller at JCT

• Feeder operator HR Lines to add two more vessels by October 2022 in its Colombo-Chattogram service

With a greater focus to provide flexible feeder connections in Colombo, HR Lines, Bangladesh feeder vessel operator, has dedicated one of its Chattogram loops to call at JCT.

Mv. HR Sarera Voyage 0042N called at the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of the Port of Colombo (POC) last week. HR Lines introduced their CCE-Chattogram Colombo Express in April 2021.

The occasion was graced by Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tareq Md Ariful Islam.

Mv. HR Sarera is the first inaugural caller at the JCT of SLPA after the COVID-19 pandemic. To mark the inaugural call of the vessel, plaque exchanges were held at the JCT of SLPA. Clarion Shipping Ltd., a subsidiary of Hayleys Advantis group is the local agent for the vessel.

HR Lines started the Colombo-Chattogram feeder service with two vessels, once a week sailing and eventually will upgrade it to twice weekly with adding two more vessels by October 2022. Being one of the prominent feeder operators, within a year, HR Lines has secured a total market share of about 35% of this trade lane. HR Line is a part of diversified group Karnaphuli Bangladesh and is determined to enhance their presence in Colombo with further developments.

Expressing views at the occasion, SLPA Chairman Dr. Prasantha Jayamanna said that during the discussions held with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, it was apparent that Bangladesh was immensely supportive of improving mutually beneficial relationships between the two countries and also for working together to bring in more practical and workable business solutions in policy decision levels towards enhancing volumes at the JCT and POC. He also thanked the Hayleys Advantis Group for having trust in the JCT to have the new initiative and for its continuity. 

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tareq Md Ariful Islam said that shipping connectivity was one of the most important areas in developing bilateral relations between the two countries. He also thanked the JCT and the Port of Colombo for the improved efficiency in operations and wished for a longlasting relationship that would open more business avenues in maritime operations between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

SLPA Managing Director Upul Jayatissa, Director (Operations) Lal Weerasinghe, Chief Manager (Conventional Cargo Operations) L.P.S. Chandana, Chief Manager (Communication and Public Relations) Chitral Jayawarna, Senior Harbour Master Captain S.B.Y.M.Y.L. Wasantha, Hayleys Advantis Managing Director Ruwan Waidyaratne, Group Director Shano Sabar, Clarion Shipping Ltd. Director and CEO Tharanga Perera, and Deputy General Manager Chrishantha Silva were also present at the occasion.