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30 SOUTH ASIA GATEWAY TERMINALS (PVT) LTD
SUSTAINABILITY AT
SAGT
SAGT’s Commitment to the Sustainable As a major maritime hub in the region, Sri During the year under review, SAGT continued
Development Goals (SDGs) Lanka offers: to focus on improving the productivity
The UN Agenda, with its 17 SDGs (Sustainable of its operations through various cost
Development Goals) serves as a roadmap to • a strategic position in South Asia that management initiatives and productivity
build a better and more sustainable future by provides access to the emerging economic enhancing measures. These included the
2030 by addressing the world’s most pressing giant India. India is on track to be the third DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System)
economic, social and environmental issues. largest economy in the world by 2030, after technology to accurately track container
Keen to position itself as a sustainability China and the US. inventory in the yard, a critical factor in
advocate, SAGT has incorporated the productive ship operations
Sustainable Development Goals approved by • exposure to China’s Belt and Road Initiative
the UN in September 2015 into its business through terminals in the Port of Colombo Moreover, the use of specialized technology
strategy and Governance systems. and the Port of Hambantota, both of which such as Prime Route and Expert Decking
have attracted Chinese investment. China is have allowed SAGT to drive efficiency while
SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE one of Sri Lanka’s key trading partners. optimizing resources. SAGT has deployed the
Maritime transport is the backbone of the NAVIS N4 Terminal Operating System (TOS)
global economy, accounting for over 90% • the ability to reach Europe and the Middle for digitally capturing data covering the entire
of cross-border trade. As the entry and exit East faster. order cycle of the Port Terminal operation.
points for cargo throughout the world, efficient Secure digital data sharing interfaces have
Ports and Terminals are a vital component of • Deepwater ports with the capacity to been implemented with statutory agencies
the global supply chain. Sri Lanka’s two major accommodate post panmax or triple ‘E’ class such as Sri Lanka Customs while paperless
ports are the Port of Colombo and the Port of vessels. eCommerce facilities including electronic
Hambantota in the south, both of which are payment options are offered to customers and
well connected to Colombo Airport. Historically and even today, Sri Lanka’s growth suppliers.
trajectory is anchored to the momentum in
port activity. In 2018, the Port of Colombo OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
(POC)alone handled seven million TEU
containers, up from one million in 1995. In With the world’s merchant fleet expanding
2020 the Port of Colombo became the 18th rapidly and ships getting larger, ports are
best connected port in the world according under increasing pressure to boost capacity
to the United Nations Conference on Trade and improve efficiency. Ports and shipping
and Development’s (UNCTAD) Port Liner are rapidly transformed by a range of
Shipping Connectivity Index. Port of Colombo technological innovations that aim to make
has improved five spots from its previous operations greener, cheaper, and more
position in 2019.Furthermore POC maintained efficient. At the same time, the COVID-19
its place as the 22nd largest Port by container pandemic has upended maritime transport and
throughput as per Alphaliner Port rankings created unprecedented challenges.
during the financial year 2020/21.
Operating in what is perhaps one of the most
Currently SAGT handles 27% of the total dynamic and competitive global industries,
volume of the Port of Colombo. During the SAGT is committed to offer world class
current financial year, SAGT handled 1.81 customer service and operational excellence
million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU’s) as the key differentiators of its value
with transhipment volumes accounting for proposition.
87% %of the total volume, in comparison
to the 2.06million TEU’s handled during the With innovation and digital solutions offering
previous year, where transhipment volumes new and imaginative ways to pursue
contributed to 81. % of the total volume. operational and service excellence SAGT
has embraced the opportunity to augment its
In 2015, the Journal of Commerce in the US services. There is ample evidence to suggest
ranked SAGT as no 1 for terminal productivity that technology can greatly improve the
in the South Asian region and the fourth most efficiency of maritime operations. Currently,
productive efficient terminal in the world. shipping goods from a manufacturer to
a consumer involves many stakeholders: