India-SL synergies vital to control future volume growth in huge container ships

Synergies between India and Sri Lanka are vital to handle a future growth in Ultra Large Container Ships in the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka Ports Authority chairman Capt. Nihal Keppetipola said. This was stated when the SLPA chairman paid a courtesy visit to Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay on July 9.

Elaborating, an SLPA press release said:

Capt. Nihal Keppetipola – Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) paid a courtesy visit to the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay on 09th July 2021. On the invitation of the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, the meeting took place at India House, Colombo 03. Also present at the meeting was Indian High Commission Head of Economic and Commercial Wing Dr. Rakesh Panday.

Speaking at the meeting, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka His Excellency Gopal Baglay said that the development of bilateral trade between India and Sri Lanka would enhance socio-economic stability between the two friendly nations and India would always like to cordially work with Sri Lanka and the SLPA to improve the container and shipping connectivity.

Expressing views SLPA Chairman said that considering the forecast growth of population, production and the order took increase of the Ultra Large Container Ships (ULCS) in the world, it is important for the Indian Government to take action as per Indian Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi’s huge ‘Sagaramala’ Project parallel to Sri Lanka’s port development projects. “We would then create a synergy between the countries to handle this huge container volume growth in the Indian Sub-Continent (ISC),” the Chairman said.

Further discussions also took place at the meeting between the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and SLPA Chairman on the importance of commencement of a regional cruise liner operation in the ISC region. The SLPA Chairman said that the possibility should be discussed with the Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Ports and Shipping, the SLPA and the Ministry of Tourism in order to make its operations a success. The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka also proposed to commence a joint discussion with BIMSTEC countries (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation) in this regard.

Source : island.lk