Business
CICT crowned Best Container Terminal for its capacity in Asia for 7th consecutive year
Beats terminals in China, Indonesia and Thailand to win coveted AFLAS award in Under 4 million TEUs category
Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) has been declared the Best Container Terminal in Asia in 2023 in the Under 4 million TEUs category, winning the coveted title for the seventh consecutive year.
CICT’s impressive triumph on the global stage was announced by Asia Cargo News at the 2023 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) awards gala at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach Hotel. CICT CEO Mr Jack Huang accepted the award on behalf of the Company.
The three other shortlisted finalists in the running for the prestigious award were Fuzhou International Container Terminal – China, Jakarta International Container Terminal – Indonesia and Laem Chabang International Terminal – Thailand.
Commenting on this remarkable achievement, CICT CEO Jack Huang said: “This award is most significant because it is not just about volumes. The winners are selected by the votes of the people that matter the most – freight and logistics companies and clients from around Asia and the Pacific who have business internationally. The award recognises demonstrated leadership, consistency in service quality, innovation and reliability. CICT is therefore greatly honoured to have won the AFLAS award for the 7th year in succession. I am very proud of the team I am working with.”
“CICT has actively embraced technological innovation, promoted digitalization, emphasized talent development, continuously optimized operational efficiency, and improved customer satisfaction,” Huang added. “This award will inspire CICT to further expand and enhance terminal management, streamline operational processes, and raise service levels to create greater value for our customers.”
CICT handles more than half of Sri Lanka’s import and export trade volume. Located at a strategic point on the Maritime Silk Road, CICT is near the international shipping routes from the Far East to Europe, and offers a well-developed logistics system. CICT currently serves 30 shipping routes and serves as a hub for numerous shipping companies on the Far East to Europe routes.
The CICT terminal has a quay length of 1,200 meters, covers 58 hectares of land, and is equipped with 14 advanced quay cranes, 46 fully electric rubber-tired gantry cranes, and offers a water depth of 18 meters at the quay, making it the only deep-water container terminal in operation in South Asia, capable of handling the largest container vessels in the world. CICT also features Sri Lanka’s first and the most advanced hazardous goods storage yard, with an annual capacity of handling 50,000 TEUs of hazardous cargo.
CICT officially commenced operations in 2014, with a throughput of 680,000 TEUs in its first year. By 2022, the throughput had reached 3.18 million TEUs, achieving a compound annual growth rate of 18.7% over nine years and contributing to the rise in global rankings of the Port of Colombo from 34th place in 2012 to 23rd place in 2022.
Currently, CICT maintains a stable quay crane operating efficiency of 33 moves per hour, leading the South Asian region. As of September 2023, the average vessel turnaround time has been reduced by 1.3 hours compared to the same period in 2022.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
