Business
HAMBANTOTA fastest growing RO-RO transshipment port in the region
7 lakh units handled for 2023
On December 30, 2023, the Hambantota International Port (HIP) proved itself as the fastest growing RO-RO transshipment port in the region. With 700,000 transshipment vehicles handled, the port marked a significant 26% increase from 2022 figures. The milestone figure was achieved with Glovis vessel MV. HAE SHIN V.003B handling 3,626 units for transshipment to Ulsan port, South Korea, an HIP news release said.
“The port is geared and ready to handle volumes that are getting larger each year, not only because it is expanding capacity and location, but also because of our quality service, and timely berthing facilities with no waiting time for customers with tight schedules. The reliability of our services, coupled with connectivity to important destinations, and competitive pricing formulas, makes HIP an extremely attractive proposition,” says Lance Zuo, General Manager Commercial & Marketing.
Tissa Wickramasinghe, COO of HIPG says the 700,000 units handled by the port this year, places HIP at the top end of the league, with other RORO transshipment locations in the competing region. “This is a commendable achievement for a port that has been in operation for just six years, and we achieved this amidst various challenges from lock downs to a serious economic downturn in the country.
MV ‘Hae Shin’ discharging RORO cargo at HIP
“While our Roll on Roll Off (RORO) operations teams are to be commended for their excellent service, our marketing team has done a tremendous job in promoting the port. When the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) took over, the Port Management team made a strategic decision to go for low hanging fruit and establish HIP as a regional transshipment hub for RORO cargo. The entire strategy was developed in line with that. The Port entered into agreements with RORO lines giving them the assurance of expert handling of their transshipment cargo with uncompromising quality and reliability.”
New RORO customers were also attracted, to develop transshipment volumes, especially the Japanese lines, who were more focused only on handling domestic import cargo. “Our commercial team visited customers from across the world, meeting traders and dealers in Japan and other countries to attract volumes to the port. We developed a dedicated team to follow global trends in RORO transshipment scenarios and developments. This enabled us to make the required investments in new equipment, new technology and IT systems. Another approach we took was when new situations developed, for example the Red sea, HIP presented customers the required options and necessary facilities to overcome difficulties. This has helped us to build win-win partnerships,” the COO says.
With the knowledge that attracting volumes alone would not sustain the business, HIP took equal measures to ready their operations team, establishing a quality, world class cargo operations system. “Having achieved ISO certification in QHSE, our existing and new customers have placed their trust in us because we have proven time and time again that their volumes are safely handled. Along with our operations team, our safety management team, navigational, admin and engineering teams help to manage facilities and other requirements to ensure the continuous maintenance of global quality standards in our operation.”
HIPG has already made a significant investment in expanding yard space and installing modern equipment. Frequent training sessions are held for operations staff and familiarization visits to international terminals are facilitated for the relevant teams. “This remarkable achievement by HIP, is a collective effort by Team HIP and would not have been possible without the support of our customer base,” the COO adds.
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
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