Sri Lanka post-war reconstruction boosts local logistics

Movement of heavy cargo for post-war reconstruction and modernisation in Sri Lanka will provide more business for logistics companies, the Lanka Business Online reported.

Two ports are under construction, a new airport planned and several coal, wind and hydro-power plants are being built or in the planning stages along with road, rail and a host of urban development projects.

Walter Rodrigo, director of GAC Shipping, said he expects a big increase in movement of heavy cargo.

"There'll be opportunities for people like us to provide logistics services."

The firm, the local branch of an international shipping logistics firm, is in talk with foreign investors on moving cargo required for projects.

Rodrigo said the eastern port of Trincomalee would be ideal to discharge much of the cargo needed for reconstruction in the former north-eastern war zone.

This would help to avoid the difficulties of moving heavy cargo by land transport.

"A lot of infrastructure development is needed. So there's a need to get down pre-fabricated material and there'll be lot's of opportunities for shipping lines."  
 
(Source: Cargo News Asia)