McLarens Logistics Group: A legacy of logistical expertise and innovation

McLarens Logistics Centre, Welisara

Ship agency & Vessel husbandry services by McLarens Logistics

National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka award 2022

On this National Logistics Day, McLarens Logistics Group honours the vital role of the logistics industry in Sri Lanka. The Group extends its deepest appreciation to the dedicated professionals and teams, whose relentless efforts ensure seamless, around-the-clock service delivery despite numerous challenges.

Celebrating 45 years in the industry, McLarens Logistics Group’s journey began in 1979 with a pioneering venture: establishing an inland container depot at No. 776, Negombo Road, Welisara. Spearheaded by McLarens Logistics Group Founder Hubert A. De Silva and his son Neil De Silva this depot was instrumental in providing container storage, repairs, and cleaning facilities at the dawn of containerisation in Sri Lanka.

Initially serving International Container Leasing Companies and Shipping Lines, the facility quickly evolved to include a fully-fledged Container Freight Station and Warehousing complex to meet the growing needs of exporters and importers. In response to demand, the Group’s Transport Division expanded as well adding more prime movers/trailers to our fleet.

McLarens Logistics Group also ventured into container refurbishment, domestic container rental, container sales and more. The Welisara facility has since grown to cover over eight acres, featuring additional warehouse space, covered container repair facilities, heavy machinery and forklift repair garages, stand-by generator power as well as an ISO tank cleaning depot that offers comprehensive testing and cleaning services for liquid-carrying ISO tanks. To further enhance our liquid logistics services, we also supply and install flexitanks.

The Group’s commitment to growth and innovation extended to refrigerated container repair and maintenance, with a dedicated team of qualified reefer technicians providing services at inland container depots, port terminals, and onboard vessels. The Group owns a fleet of refrigerated containers, plugged in at our facility and rented out to customers for perishable cargo storage and also sell 20ft. and 40ft. reefer containers to perishable cargo importers and exporters.

The Container Freight Station team has broadened its offerings to include palletising, strapping, shrink wrapping, crating, polylining and jumbo-bag handling. Additionally, with in-house expertise, the Group has established a Project Cargo Division.

The Container Trading Division has naturally evolved to include container conversions, addressing diverse customer needs with a focus on sustainability. Containers are now modified for various applications, including office complexes, homes, cafes, bathrooms, and even swimming pools. Our approach emphasises the recycling and repurposing of containers to promote sustainable practices while meeting a wide range of functional requirements.

In 2008, the Group expanded into the Shipping Agency and Freight Forwarding business, representing shipping lines, NVOCCs and ISO tank operators. The operations, documentation, and marketing teams are experienced in handling a diverse range of cargo types including, containerised and break-bulk, general, perishable/temperature-controlled, dry and liquid bulk, specialised category such as chemical and gas, hazardous, project or over size cargo etc.

The Group offers comprehensive ship husbandry services at the ports of Colombo, Galle, Hambantota and Trincomalee and at Off Port Limits (OPL) of Sri Lanka, catering to casual caller shipping principals. Ship husbandry services encompass monitoring and supervising of break bulk and OOG cargo operations, delivery of ship spares, handling crew changes, arranging cash to master transfers, supply of provisions/fresh water, arranging marine surveyors for ship/bunker surveys etc.,

McLarens Logistics Group’s Customs Brokerage Division, combined with existing services enables the Group to offer customers, principals and its freight forwarding network partners end-to-end services in Sri Lanka. Today, the McLarens Logistics Group is a diversified entity providing multifaceted shipping and logistics services in Sri Lanka. The Group is ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certified and hold memberships with local and international trade associations.

With long-standing experience and commitment to high-quality services have garnered recognition from international principals, professional associations and business chambers. The senior management team, consisting of professionally and technically qualified individuals with both international and local expertise in shipping and logistics, reflects our dedication to excellence. The certifications, awards, and accolades received further attest to its outstanding service.

Recognising the expertise and continuous development of its container surveyors, McLarens Logistics Group places the utmost importance on maintaining the highest industry standards. The Group prioritises exceptional training for its operations team and provides opportunities for them to obtain IICL (Institute of International Container Lessors) USA, Container Survey qualification.  The shipping team is also encouraged to obtain professional qualifications from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) UK and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

Remaining true to the founding principles of McLarens Logistics Group, this third-generation family-owned business is now strategically poised to advance into the digital era.