Anura Priyadharshana Yapa,
Minister of Environment, The
Chief Guest, Rohitha
Abeygunawardena, Deputy
Minister of Ports and
Highways, Guest of Honour,
Dr. Priyath Wickrema,
Chairman Sri Lanka Ports
Authority, Ralph Anandappa
Chairman, Walter Rodrigo,
Vice Chairman and Dhammika
Walgampaya, Secretary
General, CASA, at the AGM
The 46th Annual General
meeting of the Ceylon
Association of Ships’ Agents
was held at the Hilton
Colombo recently, followed
by a Banquet at the Grand
Ballroom.
The Chief Guest at this
event was Anura
Priyadharshana Yapa,
Minister of Environment and
the Guest of Honour was,
Rohitha Abeygunawardena,
Deputy Miniser of Ports and
Highways.
Chairman elect Ralph
Anandappa in his address
referred to the history of
CASA to 1944, when it was
first established as the
Ceylon Shipping Committee,
before evolving to be known
as CASA from 1966. Over the
years CASA has provided
invaluable assistance to its
membership and earned for
itself the accolade “the
leading voice of the
Shipping Industry”. CASA
works through a process of
interchange of ideas,
information and business
methods as a means of
increasing the efficiency
and usefulness of members.
CASA also occupies a
position of consultancy and
advocacy vis a vis our
numerous stakeholders,
particularly policy makers,
top government officials and
other agencies.
Ships’ agents over the years
have contributed immensely
in re-investing their
earnings in related and
unrelated diversification
making a positive impact on
the economy and importantly
generating employment both
in a sustainable manner.
The role of the agent has
evolved, as we know, from
that of a traditional one to
a value added partner, an
extended arm of our
principals, fulfilling a
very demanding and
challenging role in a
dynamic environment.
The international scenario
now unfolding is also
challenging. Rating agencies
and investors services are
‘downbeat’ on the outlook
for the global shipping
industry. Sustained
oversupply of vessels and
high bunker costs will
pressure margins in most
shipping segments in 2012.
The outlook for the next 12
to 18 months is negative.
Some of the agencies expect
the aggregate earnings
before interest, tax,
depreciation and
amortization (EBITDA) of the
global shipping industry to
decline by 5-10% in 2012.
There are reports that
economic growth in US,
Europe & China is flagging.
As a country we have freed
ourselves from a near three
decade internal strife
thanks to the determined
leadership of the President.
This achievement alone
provides the platform for
country wide development to
take off. We have seen
progress already in some
quarters. Much needs to be
done still.
Infrastructure development
in the port sector is of
particular significance and
importance to CASA. The SLPA
under the leadership of its
young and energetic
Chairman, Dr. Wickrema and
his team has demonstrated
tremendous commitment and
drive in strengthening this
sector. Apart from adding
capacity with the
construction of new ports
and terminals the SLPA has
also taken very progressive
steps in refleeting and
renewing terminal equipment,
improving infrastructure,
and introducing IT enabled
solutions – in general
upgrading and enhancing the
capabilities of existing
facilities for the benefit
of shipping lines and our
customers. SAGT has also
taken positive measures for
the benefit of lines and the
trade. CICT will further
strengthen the sector.
Sri Lanka is therefore, in a
very strong position to
capitalize on our
comparative advantage with
truly world class ports and
terminal services on offer
to shipping lines. The steps
taken to introduce an
electronic environment for
data interchange by Sri
Lanka Customs and SLPA are
an added benefit. The
government’s focus on
boosting exports and the
very ambitious targets set
would augur well for
shipping in SL. Research
studies have revealed that
Sri Lanka’s trade index will
perform increasingly better
than the world’s average
over the next 15 years. Over
the next 5 years trade with
developing countries is
expected to increase
offsetting the fall in
demand from developed
trading partners.
With the focus shifting to
Asia to fuel the growth of
global trade it is quite
clear that SL will continue
to expand its role as a
regional shipping centre
while strengthening her role
as a valued trading partner.
Meanwhile, CASA will
continue to engage the
authorities with a view to
address matters concerning
our membership in order to
enhance service delivery to
our principals and
customers. From our members
I would like to ask a deeper
involvement with the
secretariat headed by.
Walgampaya - share ideas,
information and business
methods with him.
CASA is a mature
organization with a wealth
of experience in the hands
of our members and we need
to harness that experience
and channel it for the
growth and benefit of all
our members and that of the
industry.
More recently vehicle
carriers commenced calling
the Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda
Rajapaksa Port increasing
the volume of transshipment
of vehicles.
(TI30072012)