A multi million rupee project has been carried out with a new Container Terminal Management System (CTM) to be implemented at the Colombo Port's flagship terminal the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) and the New North Pier (NNP) terminal.

This has been carried out following the signing of an agreement early this month between Access International (Pvt) Ltd, the local counterpart for Navis LLC headquartered in Oakland, USA and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. This multi-million-rupee worth project signifies a major landmark in SLPA's development endeavors to keep up with the global trend and to rise as a "e-Port "or a "Superior Service e-Port" from a more traditional service port outlook. While moving ahead with its Corporate Strategy to capture the container volume growth in the region, the SLPA anticipates by this initiative to convert its internal operational capabilities to criteria that may lead to competitive advantage and market success.

Used by more than 200 terminals in over 50 countries, Navis' CTM will help SLPA optimize operations to increase capacity, efficiency, productivity and profitability.

According to published literature, from the enterprise level to the operational level, Navis is one of the best computer systems available in the world today. And, the real-time architecture ensures that the systems are always up-to-date and enables employees to react immediately to changes in operating conditions, Few main features of the new CTM system comprises: Satellite system for real-time yard mapping and operations, ID tags for container movement and identification, Differential Global Positioning System/Global Positioning System (DGPS/GPS) based communication system for monitoring of container stacking and un-stacking, Automated gate operations, Fully-fledged EDIJ web-enabled systems, Online/real-time container movement optimization and inquiry facilities for management, Vehicle Mounted Terminals (VMT) for prime movers for efficient fleet management strategies in the port, Utilization and optimization of resources, "Smart-route" options for synchronization of port operations etc.

With the implementation of the proposed CTM system, SLPA plans to improve their customer service levels and productivity to match with any world class port.
(DM 25022008)