Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators holds 25th AGM

2022/23 committee and member representatives. Seated from left: Executive Committee Member Marius Gomez, Vice Chairman Arjuna Hettiarachchi, Chairman Shamal Perera, Treasurer Gemunu Rodrigo, and Executive Committee Member Saliya Senanayake. Standing from left: SLAVO Secretary Asmara Hamin, Samitha Perera, Stuart Zhu, Mevan Peiris, Nikhil D’Lima and Anuradha Forbes. Not present: Rio Jen

The Association, comprising representatives from 11 international shipping lines responsible for the carriage of over 70% of Sri Lanka’s container traffic, SLAVO, convened its 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently at the Royal Colombo Golf Club.

MSC’s Shamal Perera was re-elected as Chairman of the Association, whilst X-Press Feeders’s Arjuna Hettiarachchi and BTL’s Gemunu Rodrigo were elected as Vice Chairman and Honorary Treasurer respectively.

SLAVO established in 1995 is an Association that was set up to represent the interests of international shipping lines, here in Sri Lanka. Thereby SLAVO is the voice of the principals, who are important customers of the Ports in Sri Lanka. It is the objective of the Association to liaise and work with authorities, government entities and all other stakeholders in the maritime industry to ensure these international shipping lines can operate efficiently and enhance their business in Sri Lanka. These shipping lines whilst facilitating exports and imports of Sri Lanka, utilise the Port of Colombo as a transshipment hub, which generate much required foreign exchange into the country and employment for Sri Lankans.  

“The key stakeholders in the maritime industry both private and public, should listen to the voice of the principals, who are their key customers, in order to exploit our strategic location and make Sri Lanka a true maritime hub,” SLAVO Chairman Shamal Perera said. “The industry needs stability in the public sector especially at the ministry, so solutions can be implemented to some of the issues and business can be developed further,” he added citing the constant changes in port officials and ministers.    

SLAVO members also include Marius Gomez (ex-co member) from Transworld Feeders, Saliya Senanayake (ex-co member) from Feedertech, Nikhil D’Lima from Maersk Line, Stuart Zhu from OOCL, Rio Jen from Evergreen Line, Mevan Peiris from Global Feeder Shipping, Samitha Perera from Far Shipping, Anuradha Forbes from Straight Orient Lines and Asmara Hamin as Secretary.