Hambantota International Port first SL port to receive ISO Integrated Management System Standards

From left: AM – Administration Upul Nishantha, Manager – QHSE Rohan Sanjeewa, Head – QHSE Joey Feng, SGM – HR and Admin Jeevan Premasara, HIPS CEO Captain Ravi Jayawickreme, Bureau Veritas Lead Auditor System Certification Mohamed Muzahil, Nexus Business Solutions Consultant Raj Wettasinghe, Senior Specialist – Oil and Bunkering Sarathchandra Kumara and AM – QHSE Suresh Kodithuwakku 

• Recognised for quality, safety and environmental protection

Hambantota International Port (HIP) was the recipient of ISO Integrated Management System Standards for its quality, environmental consciousness and health and safety.  

This was an initiative, which supported cross-functional project commitment of all staff who are focused on the port’s quality and consistency values. The ISO Integrated Management system will enhance performance driving everyone from bottom to top levels for better quality, environmental consciousness and health and safety standards and practice. HIP is the first Sri Lankan port to receive this certification.

The accreditations received were ISO 9001:2015 for Quality, ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental protection and ISO 45001:2018 for Occupational Health and Safety, all of which are a pioneering achievement for the region in terms of the port/terminal industry. In line with the IMS certification process, the port successfully faced the stage-2 external audit from 5 to 16 July, conducted by Bureau Veritas Lanka Ltd. 

“The Hambantota International Port Group Ltd., (HIPG) and Hambantota International Port Services Company Ltd. (HIPS) are committed to providing and maintaining the highest quality standards in all our services by applying the best international practices in all aspects of our operations. As a responsible corporate citizen, we ensure the safety and security of our people and maintain a sustainable environment, while creating a favorable work environment for all our colleagues and partners operating within the port premises and immediate port vicinity. Emphasis is placed on ensuring human health, operational safety, environmental protection, quality enhancement and community goodwill. This commitment is in the best interest of all our stakeholders,” said HIPG COO Tissa Wickremasinghe. 

The accreditation process was launched in January 2021, under guidance and approval from the Executive Committee of HIP, who considered HIP ready. An ISO Quality circle was formed consisting of representatives from all departments. Nexus Business Solutions, the local consultant, provided the introduction, guided and assisted the port team, via training and process management throughout the process of certification. 

CEO HIPS and HIPG Chief Officer – Security, Marine Services and Fleet Management Captain Ravi Jayawickrame said the accreditation not only confirms the high standards maintained by HIP but has also helped improve control over the business. It will prevent specific problems from recurring and also support risk management by identifying weaknesses and threats and converting them into strengths and opportunities.

“Another benefit is that it will boost marketing and sales efforts and enhance and improve employee performance.  The satisfaction of our customers is a priority and this accreditation will help us maintain it in all respects by supplying high-quality services on time in compliance with relevant standards. It also reinforces our commitment to protect the environment and maintain sustainability and to protect the workplace which will prevent work related injury and ill-health and provides further incentive to continually improve our working conditions. Our goal is to exceed customer expectations in the provision of goods and services.”

A QHSE (Quality, Health & Safety and Environment) policy was the first step of the process followed by an Integrated Management System (IMS) Manual that describes all quality aspects of the standardisation process. Continuous monitoring and development is carried out from then on and the ISO quality circle conducts planned internal audits and document revisions. External audits are conducted by Bureau Veritas on an annual basis to ensure that the company is constantly evolving and developing in accordance with ISO standards.

This initiative was under the joint supervision of HIPG and HIPS, HIPS General Manager Captain Miyuru Gunasekara and SGM HR and Administration Jeevan Premasara jointly acknowledges that this accreditation is a collective team effort and an achievement for the entire organisation, under the guidance of HIPG CEO Johnson Liu, HIPS CEO Captain Ravi Jayawickreme, the Executive Management Committee (EXCO) members and all heads of departments.