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Colombo. Friday 27 January 2017: Hemas together with the GAC Group Sri Lanka are to build a modern integrated logistics facility in the Muthurajawela Industrial Zone, with a state-of-the-art distribution centre, container yard and a warehouse facility that spreads across 15 acres. It is the pioneering initiative of the first phase of the Logistics City, designed with the objective of providing latest facilities to achieve higher levels of efficiency related to technology, transportation and logistics in the process of national development by the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development.
The ground-breaking ceremony held on 27th of January was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe and Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development. The event was also graced by Hon. John Amaratunga, Hon. Arjuna Ranatunga, Hon. Sudharshani Fernandopulle, Hon. Nimal Lansa, and Hon. Kavinda Jayawardena and Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawaynna, Deputy Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, on the invitation of Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development. The facility is expected to be in operation by early June 2017 and the Distribution Centre will be operational in February 2018.
Managing Director of Hemas Logistics and Maritime Sector, Ms. Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson said, “Hemas Logistics commenced its operations in September 2010 and over the years made giant strides in diversifying its operations portfolio into warehousing, container depot, car carriers and the movement of over dimensional cargos, 3PL operations, customs brokering and allied services. Hemas is also a key player in the maritime sector being appointed as the general agent for Evergreen Lines in Sri Lanka and engaging in other allied services. As our next venture in developing our logistics strength further, we have partnered with GAC Group Sri Lanka, an internationally recognised company in the shipping, marine services and logistics industry. Through this joint venture we aspire to provide total solutions to the Sri Lankan exporters and importers and developing Entreport business, supporting the intent of making Sri Lanka the maritime and logistics hub in Asia”
Mr. Mahesh Kurukulasuriya, the Managing Director of GAC Group Sri Lanka, expressed his excitement over the new project saying, “GAC always prides itself in innovation and providing high quality solutions to our customers. The GAC Group has globally established a long-standing record in warehouse design, management and operations, with its world-class facilities spread across the Middle East, Asia, Indian subcontinent and Europe, occupied with full-fledged logistics and distribution capabilities. Our operations incorporate modern hardware and software for warehousing and transport management, order processing and complete supply chain visibility. In Sri Lanka, together with GAC’s local partner McLarens Group, we have established ourselves as the pioneer and the market leader in shipping, marine, and oil and gas sectors. We believe that through this strategic partnership with the Hemas Group, we will together be able to capitalise on the growing domestic supply chain and logistics market using our international strengths.”
This new Integrated Logistics facility will be equipped with the latest reach stackers in operation with the support of a cutting-edge IT platform aimed at innovating Sri Lanka’s first-ever logistics system connected to the processes of advanced technology solutions. It will consist of a modern Container Terminal with the capacity of 6,000 TEU with 7 high container stacking and a warehousing and Distribution Centre offering Third Party Logistics (3PL) services.
The Container Depot will have Sri Lanka’s first-ever user experience such as, two-way approach to stacks and dual in and out gate that operates independently. The facility has the services of Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL) certified container inspectors, to survey the containers entering the depot in order to set global bench marking standards.
The Distribution Centre will be a state of the art 22,000 pallet position warehousing with both ambient and temperature controlled facilities. Global best practices in layout design, dock efficiency, pallet racking and material handling equipment will be incorporated to enable agile and scalable logistics solutions. The entire distribution centre operation will run on an integrated IT platform with warehouse management, distribution management and yard management with barcode and RFID enabled infrastructure.
“We are excited about setting up this modern logistics hub which will be a first-ever technologically advanced facility in the country servicing both local and regional needs in logistics offerings. This advanced warehousing and distribution centre, having Integrated Logistics services will deliver ‘just in time’ supply chain management solutions to its stakeholders. The facility will also have a water treatment plant to ensure the water released from the premises meets all environmental requirements and guidelines” said Mr. Niranjan Nallaratnam, CEO of the new venture
Mr. Imtiaz Esufally, Chairman of the joint venture said, “The collaboration between Hemas, GAC and McLaren’s bring together one of the largest integrated providers of shipping, logistics and marine-related service organisations, leveraging on a strong Sri Lankan foot print and having a large global reach through the operation of over 300 offices in more than 50 countries and with trusted partners to cover over 1,000 locations worldwide.”
Mrs. Shehara Jayawardana, Group Joint Managing Director of McLarens Group said, “McLarens Group is very optimistic about this strategic venture between GAC Group Sri Lanka and Hemas group, and the Group will continue to extend its support to this partnership, which we believe will be an entity that will bring benefits to all partners, and the industry as a whole.”
The Hemas Group is one of the leading conglomerates in Sri Lanka, listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange with a focus on Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Transportation, and Leisure. GAC Group Sri Lanka is the leading ship agent in Sri Lanka, offering a full range of professional shipping, marine and logistics services, and is partnered locally with McLarens Group; a diversified conglomerate with its Group portfolio comprising of Shipping and Marine Services, Logistics, supply of Lubricants, Oil and Gas support services, Bunkering services, Automotive distribution, Trading, Manufacturing, Property Development as well as the Hotels Sector.