South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd (SAGT), Sri Lanka’s first Public Private Partnership Container Terminal recently introduced 30 new Prime Movers and Terminal Trailers to enhance the service integrity of its Inter-Terminal Transfers (ITT) in support of Port of Colombo’s (PoC) hub aspirations.
PoC recorded the highest ever volume in a single calendar year in 2021 with a throughput of 7.24 million Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU). PoC’s volume composition consists of Transshipment volumes, predominantly to and from the region. In recognition of the need to enhance services to meet evolving customers expectations especially in a day and age where vessel schedule reliability is of great importance, SAGT invested in its own fleet of ITT Trucks to facilitate and guarantee the connection of containers especially on short transit.
The terminals within PoC are currently in the process of developing a platform for ITT of the Port extending greater visibility to customers from around the world of their ITT connections between the terminals. This single reference point will assist customers improve their planning processes not only for their operations at PoC but also estimates of vessels schedules for proceeding ports. The service will also ensure guaranteed cargo deliveries to shipping line’s end customers.
The introduction of a dedicated fleet of ITT trucks is timely and an investment for the future as SAGT expands its scope of services and ensures sustained business operations for the future.
Commenting on the commissioning of new Prime Movers for ITT, Upul Jinadasa, Chief Operating Officer of SAGT stated “SAGT is committed to providing best in class services to our customers. With the addition of the new machines SAGT is fortifying its commitment to driving sustainable economic performance through improved efficiency and reliable service to our customers”.
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.
