Since taking over management control of Ports Terminal Limited in July the past year, Sri Lanka’s Aitken Spence PLC has managed to increase ship crane productivity by 70 per cent.

The director of Aitken Spence PLC, Dr Parakrama Dissanayake, highlighted this in his address at the 39th Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance Conference held in Niue the past week.

Dr Dissanayake further confirmed berthing delays have been reduced from between 12 to 18 hours to 0.50 hours average.

He also indicated that equipment downtime has been reduced by 60 per cent.

Aitken Spence entered into a public-private partnership with Fiji Ports Corporation acquiring 51 shares in Ports Terminal Limited in 2013 to oversee the repair and operation of Suva and Lautoka ports.

This has been noted as the first ever public-private partnership by a Sri Lankan company recorded as at the time of the deal.

Dr Dissanayake had previously stated that he was confident the private-public partnership would result in the establishment of Fiji as the gateway to the Pacific.

“We will bring in the global best practices in human resources and the processes in the system and also in the sphere of having the right machinery to having the right level of productivity,” he had said.

The conference

The safety and security of all ships navigating the vast Pacific Ocean are crucial for maritime transportation and trade within the region.

In order to improve safety and security, ports and infrastructure providers need to embrace a business outlook, with operation and service strategies that adhere to legislation and encourage improved performance.

A commercial approach will tend to refine efficiencies and increase regular usage.

The conference provided an opportunity for port members from the Pacific Island countries and territories to share ideas, enhance understanding and promote co-operative approaches to the achievement of conference.

The theme of the conference was ‘Our Pacific shores, the waves of possibilities’.

The conference aimed to promote regional cooperation, friendship and understanding among member ports and port users through mutual alliances and the exchange of knowledge.

Also the dissemination of information useful to port owners, operators and users of port services.

It is envisaged that this conference would promote measures to increase efficiency and safety and will facilitate the harmonious development of ports in the Pacific region.

Discussion topics covered various maritime port and transport issues, as well as the many challenges faced with in the global maritime port and transport industry.

The conference has attracted more than 50 participants from 26 members, as well as 22 associate members from various transport sectors in the Pacific.

About Aitken Spence

Aitken Spence is Sri Lanka’s largest maritime logistics company.

It is also an important global player, with installations in six countries in South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

It has a track record of superior performance inits operations, including container handling, cargo, courier and supply chain management.

Established in 1868 when Sri Lanka was British Ceylon, Aitken Spence PLC has a range of diverse interests aside from its trading and maritime services, including hotels, tourism, power generation, health care, plantations, insurance, financial services, IT, printing and garments.