South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd (SAGT), Sri Lanka’s first Public Private Partnership (PPP) container terminal was recognized as the ‘Most Progressive Port/ Terminal towards Sustainability 2022’ at Global Ports Forum (GPF) Awards held on the 28th of September 2022 in Dubai, UAE. The award recognises SAGT for its commitment and proactive approach to driving a sustainable business and demonstrating corporate citizenship.
SAGT formalized its Sustainability agenda in 2018 with the development of a comprehensive Sustainability Management Framework along with a policy in Sustainability and a performance tracking mechanism. The framework and policy have allowed the company to streamline and enhance its sustainable business practices.
In 2020, SAGT became the first terminal in the Port of Colombo to publish a Sustainability Report; “Going Beyond”. It’s second consecutive second report “Bringing the world closer, investing in a greener future” was launched in 2021. The reports are independently audited by DNV GL and outline SAGT’s Sustainability Performance based on UN’s Global Reporting Index Standards.
SAGT’s Sustainability initiatives are aligned to the three pillars of Sustainability: Social, Economic and Environment. With the aim of reducing the company’s carbon footprint, SAGT trialed hybrid technology on 2 of its Doosan rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) which yielded approximately 31% reduction in the carbon footprint of the RTGs. Consequently, SAGT converted 22 RTGs with this technology and expects to further modify 8 more RTGs within its fleet at an investment of approximately $5million. To further offset SAGT’s carbon footprint, the company has reforested 5 acres of land at the Yagirala Forest Reserve since 2019 and has entered into an MOU with the University of Sri Jayawardenapura to maintain the 5 acres of reforested area to maturity.
SAGT has in place a waste and water management policy. The policy includes Standard Operating Procedures for appropriate waste and water disposal, a Hazardous Container Leaking Bay, Sub-metering for monitoring of water usage, awareness campaigns to save water and food consumed at the terminal etc.
Accepting the award on behalf of SAGT, Udara Cumaratunga, Senior Manager, Commercial & Marketing said, “it is a privilege and honor to accept this award on behalf of my colleagues at SAGT. It is the hard work and dedication of Team SAGT at all levels that have contributed to this success, and we are thankful to Global Ports Forum and the judges of this award for recognizing SAGT for its accomplishments. Moving forward, we shall ensure to keep the pledge to continuously serve the community and the environment beyond terminal operations”. South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) is the first Public Private Partnership container terminal in Sri Lanka (with approximately 60% Sri Lankan shareholding) and commenced operations in 1999, launching the Port of Colombo as global trade’s preeminent gateway hub to South Asia. Today, the terminal is one of three operators in the Port of Colombo and continues to offer the international container shipping community a competitive best in class service. SAGT is a Board of Investment flagship company whose shareholders include – John Keells Holdings, Maersk/APM Terminals, SLPA and Evergreen Marine Corporation.
