Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators holds AGM; debuts website

• Re-elected Chairman Shamal Perera says SLAVO will continue to extend fullest support to the trade ensuring overall benefits to Principals thereby enhancing business to Port of Colombo

Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators (SLAVO), a significant body in the shipping trade held its Annual General Meeting recently at the Royal Colombo Golf Club. 

The event which was held under strict adherence to government health directives was presided by the erstwhile Chairman and board. The appointment of the new board members was announced at the AGM, followed by the launch of the SLAVO website, www.slavo.lk – celebrating a milestone in the new chapter of the association.  

The incumbent SLAVO Chairman Shamal Perera was re-appointed as Chairman for the following term of office, along with Siddarth Iyer who was re-appointed as Vice Chairman. Gemunu Rodrigo was newly appointed as the Honorary Treasurer, while Arjuna Hettiarachchi and Stuart Zhu were re-appointed as Ex-co members respectively. 

Shamal Perera, the newly elected Chairman of SLAVO for the third term in his inaugural speech, valued the support and encouragement given to SLAVO by its Members. “I have confidence that all members will extend their support to me during the tenure 2022/ 2023 where SLAVO will continue to extend its fullest support to the trade, ensuring overall benefits to Principals, thereby enhancing business to Port of Colombo.” 

SLAVO is one of the oldest and most prestigious associations in the maritime industry of Sri Lanka, representing the interest of foreign principals in the country. The limited number of members is due to its exclusivity, as nominations are based on the recommendations of the Shipping Line or Principals. 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. SLAVO ensures to conduct regular meetings with the Chairman of Sri Lanka Port Authority to find best solutions for the issues relating to the shipping industry. Furthermore, constant meetings are convened with the Director General of Merchant Shipping and heads of the three terminals as well, to discuss and implement the most practical solutions to enhance service levels.

The current membership comprises of 10 member companies representing the interest of the principals of major container shipping lines operating in Colombo. At present the membership consists of Shamal Perera, Chairman of SLAVO, representing MSC, Siddarth Iyer, Vice Chairman representing Maersk, Gemunu Rodrigo, Honorary Treasurer from Bengal Tiger Line, Arjuna Hettiarchchi, Executive Committee Member from X-Press Feeders, Stuart Zhu, Executive Committee Member from OOCL, Marius Gomez from Transworld Feeders, Saliya Senanayake from Feedertech, Rio Jen, of Evergreen Line, Mevan Peiris from Global Feeders, Samitha Perera of FAR Shipping and Asmara Hamin the Secretary of SLAVO.

Considered as one of the most prestigious associations, SLAVO is pivotal to the shipping trade of Sri Lanka.