Volumes at SLPA-managed JCT on the rise since 3Q

• SLPA has prepared three-year plan to expedite port sector development

The Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), owned and operated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), has witnessed steady growth in operating volumes since October 2017. 

The Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), owned and operated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), has witnessed steady growth in operating volumes since October 2017. 

Accordingly, container operations at the JCT has increased by 5.3% in October, 8.2% in November and 13.9% in December 2017. At present, productivity at the JCT has increased by 3.2% for Feeder Vessels and 9.4% for Main Lines. 

The drawbacks experienced during 2015 and 2016 in container operations at the terminals of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) continued up to the third quarter of 2017. Creating history, the Port of Colombo for the first time has recorded 6.2 million container operations in 2017, up by 8.3% in 2016.

Under the leadership of Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe, and instructions of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, the positive increase at the SLPA-controlled JCT is reasoned towards direct and straightforward decisions reached by the management which has also won employee recognition and credibility for such implementations. 

The relationship between the management and SLPA trade unions, collaborative support by all parties and stakeholders engaged in the port operations process has effectively contributed to the increase of productivity at SLPA. 

SLPA at present has prepared a three-year development plan to expedite the port sector development process in the country to further increase container volumes. These developments are aimed at making Colombo a maritime centre within Asia.