Asian Shippers' Council quits Singapore for Colombo

MTHE permanent secretariat of the Asian Shippers' Council (ASC) will move from Singapore to Colombo, a move that ASC secretary general, Rohan Masakorala believes will have an "immense impact" on the maritime activities of the island nation Sri Lanka, reports Colombo's Daily News.

Mr Masakorala noted that the move will help to further establish Sri Lanka as a leading maritime hub in the Asian region.

The decision follows the recent fifth general meeting of the ASC in Colombo. The gathering brought together 20 leading shipper representatives from across the region including Australia.

Colombo is currently ranked as the 27th largest port in the world and handled 3.68 million TEU in 2008.

Volumes to the country have reportedly dropped by 10-15 per cent this year; however, Mr Masakorala believes Sri Lankan-bound cargo may return to growth by mid-2010.

Source: www.schednet.com