‘shipping liberalisation part of government’s reform work’

Danish owned AP Moller-Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping line, has welcomed Sri Lanka’s recent move to liberalise its shipping sector on 4 December.

“The Budget 2018’s proposals on Lankan shipping liberalization are very constructive” said the visiting AP MOLLER-MAERSK’s Senior Director South Asia, Julian Michael Bevis. MAERSK’s South Asia Senior Director South Asia was responding to Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen when he met the Minister in Colombo with Peter Taksoe-Jensen, HE Denmark’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka.

“AP MOLLER-MAERSK’s transport & logistics consists of Maersk Line, APM Terminals, Damco, Svitzer and Maersk Container Industry. The mission is to enable and facilitate global supply chains and provide opportunities for our customers to trade globally. This is a worldwide conglomerate is operating in over 130 countries in 88000 employees. In addition to owning one of the world’s largest shipping companies, the group is involved in a wide range of activities in transport, energy, logistics, retail and manufacturing sectors. The Budget 2018’s proposals on Lankan shipping liberalization are very constructive-now is the time for Sri Lanka” said MAERSK Senior Director Bevis, and added: “We fully understand Sri Lanka’s need for such measures. In the long run, such a change is very much of a necessity. This liberalization puts Sri Lanka in par with its (shipping) competitors. MAERSK is also keenly looking forward to partner in planned Colombo harbor expansion so that we become an even larger stakeholder in the development of Lankan shipping industry.”

The Budget 2018 presented by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera to make Sri Lanka a shipping hub, proposed to open up the shipping and logistics sectors by removing foreign ownership restrictions in ship agency and freight forwarding firms. These proposals have become the most wide-ranging reforms faced by Sri Lanka’s shipping sector in recent times.

Minister Bathiudeen stressed that the latest Budget proposals are a clear indication of Unity Government’s economic liberalization and reform plans. “Sri Lanka’s strategic location  gives it an advantage in shipping and logistics. Our Unity government’s aim in shipping reform is to expand it greatly and not to harm any operators active in it.”

Minister Bathiudeen, HE Ambassador  Taksoe-Jensen and MAERSK Senior Director Bevis also discussed other forms of bilateral cooperation during their 4 December meeting in Colombo.