South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd (SAGT), Sri Lanka’s first Public Private Partnership Container Terminal was presented the “Best Company with Sustainable Practices” Award by Maritime SheEO at the Annual Maritime SheEO Conference 2022 held in Mumbai, India. The award recognized SAGT for its commitment to driving a sustainable and responsible business. SAGT’s sustainability strategy is founded on four pillars namely, environmental stewardship, enabling work environment, social responsibility, and governance. SAGT actively monitors 31 Sustainability topic specific disclosures in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The data gathered monthly is reviewed by SAGT’s Management Committee ensuring that proactive actions are taken to enhance its sustainability performance on an ongoing basis. SAGT continuous to publish its sustainability report, outlining its sustainability performance along with key initiatives annually. The Sustainability Report remains the only report for the Port of Colombo that is interpedently audited and is available on the SAGT website (www.sagt.com.lk).
SAGT’s sustainability initiatives are aligned to the three pillars of sustainability: Environment, Social and Economic. Within the environmental pillar, initiatives are driven with the main objective of reducing the company’s carbon footprint and driving responsible operations. SAGT invested in the hybridization of its traditional RTGs and has extended its efforts by investing in carbon offsetting through tree planting at the Yagirala Forest Reserve. SAGT also 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.
As a socially responsible organization SAGT has undertaken initiatives that are curated to support local communities whilst addressing key issues of national importance. SAGT has constructed a fully equipped storage facility for drugs and consumables with the aim of improving childcare services at Ward No. 03 of Lady Ridgeway Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in Colombo reported as the largest children’s hospital in the country at the time. With the pandemic taking the world by storm, SAGT partnered with a consortium of leading business entities to support the establishment of a Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) towards meeting urgent need of increased testing capacity within Sri Lanka. SAGT also distributed ration packs to Custom Clearing Agents, an essential stakeholder for the seamless operations of the industry, affected by floods. SAGT undertook an outreach project to sponsor a Multipara monitor to the pediatric cardiology unit at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital to facilitate testing of neonates affected by congenital heart disease in 2022.
Operational efficiencies are a key focus for Team SAGT. SAGT has commissioned 34 brand new Prime Movers in 2021 in an effort to enhance overall efficiency at the terminal. The company also invested in two new Quay Cranes (QCs) with twin lift capabilities in 2022, ensuring greatly productivity at the quayside. SAGT also became the first terminal in PoC to introduce lashing cages to enhance safety of workmen working at height onboard ships. During the year 2020, in compliance with social distancing directives, SAGT revolutionized a decade long paper-based import container clearance processes with the launch of a simple email-based process. In 2021, a secure e-Port online payment facility for import container clearance was introduced. The process has been further advanced with the launch of the self-service e-DA printing facility allowing for greater convenience to the customers.
Accepting the award on behalf of SAGT, Udara Cumaratunga, Senior Manager- Commercial and Marketing commented, “Team SAGT is humbled by the presentation of this prestigious award by the judging panel of Maritime SheEO. We are delighted to be recognized for our efforts in Sustainability and pledge our commitment to continue our initiatives to promote a better future. We thank our customers and stakeholders for their assistance and encouragement towards our sustainability journey.”
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.
