SAGT breaks through 2 million TEU in 2018

From left: SAGT Operations Manager Senaka Ranasinghe, ONE Lanka Manager and Head of Operations Manager Nalaka Alwis, SAGT Chief Commercial Officer Ted Muttiah, ONE Lanka Senior General Manager – Commercial and Marketing and Product and Network Ayesh Perera, ONE Lanka General Manager – Product and Network Lohitha Hettiarachchi, SAGT Commercial and Marketing Manager Dhashma Karunaratne, SAGT General Manager Operations Upul Jinadasa, SAGT Chairman Susantha Ratnayake, ONE Lanka Managing Director Vishvanath Daluwatte, SAGT Chief Executive Officer Romesh David, SAGT General Manager IT Chinthaka Abeynaike, SAGT General Manager Human Resources Chandana Wijayanama, SAGT Chief Financial Officer Mano Rajakariar and SAGT Planning Manager Prasanga Silva

South Asia Gateway Terminals Ltd. (SAGT), Sri Lanka’s first Private-Public Partnership (PPP) and a flagship venture of the Board of Investment (BOI), has achieved an impressive two million TEU (20-foot equivalent container units) in a calendar-year for the first time yesterday.

SAGT commenced operations in 1999 and along its 19-year journey has consistently established ground breaking benchmarks, securing several global and regional awards in recognition of its operational high-performance, productivity and efficiency.

However, the achievement of two million TEUs in a single year is a first for the company and particularly significant considering the terminals original design capacity was assessed at just 1.1m TEU. Over the last five years SAGT has averaged around 1.7m TEU per annum. Its previous highest volume was 1.9m TEU achieved in 2009 and 2010.

SAGT Board Chairman Susantha Ratnayake was all praise for Team SAGT saying: “This is an outstanding outcome as a result of sound planning, management and operational execution. This is Sri Lankan talent showcasing local expertise and world class competencies in a global business. It is a proud day for Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans.”

Commenting on the occasion of discharging the momentous two millionth TEU, SAGT’s Chief Executive Officer Romesh David said: “Team SAGT is delighted to have once again risen to the occasion. The continued narrowing of the supply and demand for terminal capacity in the port, means this achievement enables additional capacity in support of the Port of Colombo’s growth aspirations.”

“Furthermore, this is an excellent example of team work within the SAGT family and with multiple industry stakeholders and service partners whose collective commitment to be the best, realise a new horizon of excellence. We appreciate the support of our loyal customers and acknowledge the leadership of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), the Harbour Master and port pilots who provide vital ancillary services, making these outcomes possible,” he added.

SAGT’s achievement of two million TEUs generated over a 940-metre quay length, provides the best operational yield per metre of quay length in the port of Colombo and indeed in the South Asia region.

General Manager Operations Upul Jinadasa who has been with the company from inception said: “SAGT continues to evolve driving innovation and safety at the heart of its operational efficiency. This is an inspiring turning point for our operations. We are excited at the prospect of making this the new normal at SAGT.”

SAGT shareholders include John Keells Holdings, Maersk/APM Terminals, SLPA and Evergreen Marine Corporation.