The Golden Gate Pendulum Service owned by the Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) commenced patronizing Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) with effect from 24^th December, 2009 on a weekly basis expecting more than 1800 moves per vessel.

To celebrate the induction of this service to the JCT/SLPA, a plaque exchange ceremony was held on board the vessel “MSC ALESSIA”, on her maiden voyage at the JCT/SLPA, on the 24^th of December 2009. To mark the significance of this move to the SLPA, plaques were exchanged between the Chairman of SLPA, Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama and the Master of the vessel Capt. Zvonko Barac and the officials of Messrs. MSC Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., the local agent for MSC.

MSC is the world’s second-largest container shipping line, providing an unparalleled service network via dedicated offices throughout the world and remains a truly independent and private company able to respond quickly to market changes and implement long term plans. At the end of October, 2009, MSC was operating 382 vessels with an intake capacity of 1,482,269 TEUs. With a streamlined management structure via Geneva, MSC has become a leading customer focused, cost effective global transport solution provider for many a shipper worldwide.  

The return of the MSC’s Golden Gate Pendulum service to the JCT/SLPA is a clear endorsement by the liner community, of the current development landscape in SLPA, undertaken by the present regime under the directives of Hon. Minister of Ports and Aviation Mr. Chamal Rajapaksa. The Colombo Port Expansion Project, the biggest ever infrastructure development project undertaken by the SLPA, in order to facilitate the increasing demand for the container traffic in the region, and the Port of Hambantota, which is currently taking shape, capitalizing the locational advantage of its closeness to the main east-west shipping route, have largely contributed towards customer attraction.  

Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama, Chairman of  SLPA said “The efficiency and the increased productivity demonstrated by the  JCT staff at all levels who worked with dedication and understanding to improve service levels even in this global economic meltdown which hit the shipping industry worldwide, has been clearly evidenced by the MSC’s decision to patronize JCT.” 

"In terms of machinery and other resources, SLPA is well-equipped to handle the world's largest existing and planned container vessels and deliver unsurpassed standards of service and productivity to our customers," said Capt. Nihal Keppetipola, Managing Director of SLPA. He further stated that the return of this service to the state-run JCT was a clear indication of the efficiency of services offered by JCT, the confidence placed by shipping community who patronizes the privately-owned South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) and also the popularity of high standard business ethics practiced by SLPA. He also went on to add that this move would undoubtedly betoken a great future ahead of SLPA. 

The Golden Gate Service provides weekly calls on JCT/SLPA on every Thursday and the service follows a port rotation of New York – Baltimore - Savannah - Port Everglades – Freeport (Grand Bahamas) - Suez (transit) - Jeddah - Colombo - Singapore - Chiwan – Hong Kong - Shanghai - Ningbo - Singapore – Salala – New York.
(CPRD2812009)