Top Sri Lanka Ports, Trade and Logistics conference and exhibition by Seatrade from 10 to 11 July

A top level Sri Lanka Ports, Trade and Logistics conference and exhibition will be held from 10 to 11 July at Colombo Hilton, organised by industry specialists Seatrade.

The multi-stakeholder sponsored and endorsed event will showcase commercial opportunities and development of South Asia’s new maritime hub and logistics centre – Colombo and Sri Lanka.

Seatrade said strategic investments from high-growth economies such as India and China were propelling Sri Lanka into an important emerging Indian-ocean economy. Geographically and geo-politically, Sri Lanka is well located between these two fast growing economies. The importance as a strategic hub is easy to see.

This important conference will feature an array of both domestic and international speakers.

With excellent trade relations both India and China are heavily assisting the country in the development of considerable infrastructure ventures. The huge investment in the Port City of Hambantota alone will see the biggest port constructed on-land to date in the 21st century.

“This timely two-day event will examine Sri Lanka’s new maritime infrastructure and commanding position as a trans-shipment logistics hub for bulk, break bulk, warehousing, bunkering, ship repair and shipbuilding,” said Seatrade, which is a leader in maritime and cruise publications, conferences and exhibitions, training, awards and other special projects.

It said the event offers numerous opportunities for the maritime and logistics industry to take advantage of Sri Lanka’s burgeoning economy and build for the future.

A high-level two-day conference and exhibition offers delegates the chance to gather critical business and commercial intelligence through networking with governmental decision makers, trade policy makers, investment promotion agencies and private sector partners. At the same time, exhibitors have a prime opportunity to showcase their products and services to a focused audience of the maritime industry, Ports authorities and Government departments.

The event is being hosted by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and sponsored by ClassNK, MMM, Mercantile Seamen Training Institute Ltd., and South Asia Gateway Terminal Ltd. Supporting institutions include Asian Shipping Council, Ceylon Association of Ships’ Agents, Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders Association, Company of Master Mariners of Sri Lanka, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) Sri Lanka, Federation of Chambers of Commerce (FCCISL), International Chamber of Commerce (ICCS) Sri Lanka, National Chamber of Exporters and Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association.

The ceremonial opening on 10 July will feature speeches from Government Ministers and related agencies, State investment agencies, maritime and private sector senior company executives and officials from international maritime, finance and trade institutions.

Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama will deliver the ministerial welcome address whilst the opening session will see SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama making a presentation on ‘Investing in Sri Lankan Ports and Maritime Sector – Why Now? Current prospects and Future Opportunities’.

ClassNK Chairman and President Noboru Ueda will speak on ‘Advancing the Continued Growth and Development of the Global Maritime Industry – The Importance of Emerging Maritime Hubs in the Indian Ocean’.

Board of Investment Chairman and Director General M.M.C. Ferdinando will make a presentation on ‘The Newest and Most Exciting Indian Ocean Market and Gateway to Asia – Why Sri Lanka is a favourable destination for investment’.

Strategic Enterprise Management Agency (SEMA) Chairman and CEO) Dr. Willie Gamage will speak on ‘Driving Forward and Expanding the Commercial and Projects Sector in Sri Lanka – A Leading Sri Lanka Agency’s Perspective’.

The afternoon session of day one will focus on financing and investing in major maritime projects in Sri Lanka: Navigating the perfect storm, changing trade patterns, economic influence and the new global hierarchy – an analysis; the financial, economic and political climate in Sri Lanka – senior Government officials and private sector viewpoints; views from state and domestic financial institutions; supporting reconstruction and development in Sri Lanka – viewpoints from international financial and lending institutions; views from international banks, investment companies and investment advisors; and commercial studies from international companies currently investing in major maritime and infrastructure related projects in Sri Lanka.

GHK (Hong Kong) Ltd. Managing Director and Executive Director ICF GHK Dr. Jonathan Beard will speak on ‘South Asia Markets and Port Finance – Fair Winds or Troubled Waters?’ whilst ‘Accessing International Debt for Infrastructure Development in Sri Lanka’ will be handled by Manav Futnani, Director – Project & Export Finance, HSBC Securities & Capital Markets India Pvt Ltd.

The session will also see a panel discussion on ‘Supporting Reconstruction and Development in Sri Lanka – Viewpoints from International Financial and Lending Institutions,’ with panellists being Anirban Ghosh Dastidar, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank; Rita O’Sullivan, Country Director, Asian Development Bank; Manav Futnani, Director – Project & Export Finance, HSBC Securities & Capital Markets India Pvt Ltd.; and Kamal Dorabawila, Principal Investment Officer – Asia, IFC.

Thereafter the subject of ‘Towards the Hub – Modernising of the Regulatory Environment in Sri Lanka and the Importance of Human Capital’ will be dealt by Rohan Masakorala, Chief Executive Officer, Shippers Academy, whilst Mercator International Partner Bill Burns will make a presentation on ‘Indentifying and Making the Right Commercial and Investment Decisions When Developing Major Maritime Projects – An Analysis’.

The second day (11 July) morning session will focus on major project and market analysis. Issues include ‘Investing in Sri Lanka, Why Now? – The Commercial Advantages of Sri Lanka’s Maritime and Logistics Sector – Domestic And International Viewpoints’; ‘Roads and Railway Development in Sri Lanka – Current Status and Implications for Efficient Operations and Required Infrastructure Investment’; ‘Transhipment Projects and Plans and how Sri Lanka will Position Itself as a Major Maritime Hub in South Asia’; ‘Maritime Market Overview – Regional and International Perspectives with Particular Reference to South Asia, East Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe’; and ‘Identifying Development Sites, Viewpoints from International Experts’.

The session will also deal with maritime infrastructure projects and plans with specific emphasis on terminal investment container, dry-bulk, project cargo and cruise; storage and warehousing including reference to free-zone development; containing costs through implementing effective multi-modal practice; trends in technology and automation; sustainability issues and attracting investment and choosing the right project partners.

The session on ‘Major Projects Analysis’ will be chaired by Colombo Dockyard Managing Director and CEO Mangala Yapa who will speak on ‘Attracting Investment and Choosing the Right Project Partners: The Colombo Dockyard Experience’.

An analysis and review of major maritime development projects in Sri Lanka will be made by SLPA Director Technical Datta Gunasekara, whilst an analysis of the Colombo South Harbour Expansion Project will be done by Kane Satterthwaite, Deputy Chief Engineer, URS Scott Wilson.

‘The Development of a ‘Green Port’ – the Qatar Experience’ will be shared by Capt. Feisal A. Saad, Port Manager, Ras Laffan Port.

The session on ‘Market, Supply Chain, Technology and Automation Analysis’ will be chaired by SLPA Managing Director Capt. Nihal Keppetipola who will address the forum on ‘Furthering Supply Chain Management – Free Zone Development and Logistics in Sri Lanka’.

The aspect of ‘Regional Market Assessment – The Indian Container Port Sector – Trends and Emerging Opportunities’ will be handled by Shailesh Garg, Director, Drewry Consulting and ‘Supply Chain Management and Logistics from a Ship Management Perspective – Can Sri Lanka Meet the Challenges and Expectations?’ by Dr. Ruanthi De Silva, Director Supply Chain Management, Bernhard Schulte Ship-Management Group.

This session will also see a panel discussion titled ‘Supply Chain Management and Logistics in Sri Lanka – Meeting the Challenges’ with panellists being Capt. Rohan K. Codipilly, Director & General, Mercantile Marine Management Ltd., Dr. Ruanthi De Silva, Director Supply Chain Management, Bernhard Schulte Ship-Management Group and Shailesh Garg, Director, Drewry Consulting.

Thereafter a presentation on ‘Oil and Gas Development in Sri Lanka and the Indian Subcontinent – An Analysis’ will be made by Arun Julka, Regional Business Development Manager, Oil & Gas Support Services, Indian Subcontinent Region, GAC and the aspect of ‘Ship Power’s Emerging Technologies’ will be dealt by Ibrahim Behairy, Sales Director, Ship Power for Middle East & Africa, Wartsila.

The forum will also hear ‘Trends and Developments in Port Automation’ from Stefan Schwiers, Executive Vice President – Middle East, Identec Solutions AG.

The afternoon session on day two will focus on issues such as ‘Maritime Security and Piracy: Sri Lanka’s Emerging Role’; ‘Maritime Security and Piracy Overview – Why Sri Lanka?’; ‘Securing Safe Passage and Understanding the Threats at Sea’; ‘International Maritime Law – The Current Status and Likely Prospects for Change’; ‘Conclusions Drawn from the Galle Dialogue Maritime Conference’; and views and case studies from private sector companies working in this sector including utilisation of the latest technology, risk assessment, regional case studies and best practices.

Nexus Consulting Group President Kevin Doherty will share insights on ‘The Use of Force Considerations for Armed Security’; Holman Fenwick Willan Middle East LLP Partner Simon Cartwright on ‘Maritime Security: Examining the Issues Arising from the Use of Armed Guards and the new BIMCO Guardcon Document,’ and BBC Chartering Manager of Risks Claims and Litigation, Andrei Kharchanka on ‘Securing Safe Passage and Understanding the Risks at Sea’.

A discussion on ‘Utilisation of the Latest Technology, Risk Assessment and Best Practices’ involving panellists Kevin Doherty, President, Nexus Consulting Group, Andrei Kharchanka, Manager of Risks Claims and Litigation, BBC Chartering, Tim Stear, Global Head of Maritime Security, Control Risks and Jenny Maclean, Maritime Compliance Manager, Control Risks will follow.

The two-day event will also have an extensive social program including a golf networking afternoon, a gala dinner with the launch of a regional Seatrade Maritime Awards evening at the Cinnamon Lakeside and a cocktail reception at the British High Commission in Colombo.

For more information visit the conference website seatradesrilanka.com or contact John Foreman at [email protected].

Established over 40 years ago, Seatrade is a leader in maritime and cruise publications, conferences and exhibitions, training, awards and other special projects. Regular events include international trade exhibitions and conferences across all maritime sectors, management training courses for shipping professionals, training seminars for travel agents and maritime award schemes, including the prestigious Seatrade Awards held at the Guildhall in London.

Seatrade publications include magazines, supplements and yearbooks, whilst daily maritime news is provided online by Sea Asia Online (seatrade-asia.com).