What's up in Sri Lanka?

Preethilal Fernando, Managing Director, GAC Sri Lanka

When Sri Lanka’s civil war officially came to an end in 2009, it marked the start of a new era of reconstruction and modernisation. Following the formal cessation of the military campaign, Lloyds’ Joint War Committee removal of the country from the War Risk List in June this year signaled a fresh focus - both locally and from the international community - on development.

Since then, Sri Lanka has witnessed a boom in infrastructure development projects, such as the construction and upgrading of power plants, roads, the railway network, harbours, airports and renewable energy projects.

All that activity requires the support of a specialised shipping and logistics service provider with the expertise and resources to handle the movement of essential heavy cargoes and materials. And for most major projects, it is GAC Sri Lanka that has provided those skills, services and resources.

On track for change
One of those projects saw GAC’s dedicated logistics team handling the transportation of 15,000 metric tons of concrete sleepers, intersections, steel girders and other essential parts and equipment for the rehabilitation of 45 kilometres of rail track between Galle and Matara. Managed by IRCON International Limited, the project is part of the government’s plan to upgrade about 120 kilometres of old track between Kalutara and Matara, expected to be completed by March next year.

The heavy parts were shipped in from all over from India in more than 500 containers, and once they arrived in Sri Lanka the local GAC team arrange their de-stuffing, stacking and delivery to the various construction sites along the railway track.

GAC is proud to be involved in this project, which means so much to the future of the country. It was a challenging task, but our logistics team has the solid teamwork and experience to meet the challenges, and we look forward to continuing our support for the second phase starting in October.

The rail reconstruction is just one of the transport projects GAC is playing a part in. It also handles a range of sensitive cargoes or aircraft engines and landing gears for airlines in the country.

Powering up
Energy is vital to Sri Lanka’s future, and GAC has helped bring heavy renewable energy equipment to the country for the building of wind power plants and the reconstruction of hydro power plants. We are also working on a major shore-based management project for the biggest single oil exploration project in the region, off the Sri Lankan coast.

NOTE: A more detailed GAC Sri Lanka report will appear in LOGISTICS TIMES (PRINT VERSION) soon.

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