The country’s civil aviation sector continued to grow in terms of cargo movements with the total volume of cargo moved through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) located outside Colombo, increased by 4.1 per cent to 192,371 tonnes.
The total number of aircraft handled at BIA increased by 8.5 per cent to 55,288 during 2014. Ocean cargo on the other hand grew 12.3 per cent year-on-year to 74 million tonnes.
With the steady increase in volumes both in air and sea, the Government of Sri Lanka has diverted its attention to the shipping and transportation sector, according to the SLFFA.
The expectation is to tap this sector to achieve rapid growth and development of the economy and the prospects of employment which would see Sri Lanka develop as a cargo hub, based on the geographic location of the country.
The Sri Lanka Logistics and Freight Forwarders Association have actively participated with the local authorities and key decision makers who have earmarked the ambitious ‘Hub’ concept for Sri Lanka.
The SLFFA has a natural keen interest in the logistics industry of Sri Lanka and has come forward to take on challenges put forward to the industry which represents the voice of the freight forwarders in Sri Lanka.
Aside from a number of issues on the ocean shipping side, SLFFA was representing its members on a number of key air cargo issues.
The SLFFA along with the Shippers Council and the Export Development Board, made objections to the airlines who implemented the collection of surcharges on the chargeable weight instead of the gross weight. With the kind assistance of the Director of Civil Aviation, the matter was settled to the benefit of all the stakeholders who were grateful to the DCA for his effective intervention to resolve the matter.
SLFFA makes every effort to meet with the Sri Lanka Customs, the Ports Authority, the Civil Aviation Dept. and all other service providers to discuss matters of concern that is brought up by the members and seeks solutions, which is the focal point of the association.
The SLFFA continued to carry out its training programmes jointly with Achievers in promoting the Foundation, Certificate and FIATA Diploma level courses ensuring to maintain the professional standards of the industry.
These courses are recognised by the Director of Merchant Shipping for issuing Forwarder Licenses and also serves as an entry level to the Diploma in Procurement and Supply Management by the New Zealand Career College.
The SLFFA received ATS status (IATA Training School) and conducted the first ever DGR programme and the Refresher programme with our own IATA qualified instructors.