Export Sector to Benefit by Reduction in Freight Charges in Certain Parts of the World. Container Quality a Concern

12th April 2011, www.dailynews.lk, By Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

The shipping industry is looking forward to take advantage of the reduction in freight charges in certain parts of the world.

The freight charges have come down for Europe, USA and Far East including China. “This is a welcome reduction for exporters.

They need to work towards taking advantage of this situation,” Sri Lanka Shippers Council Chairman Gihan Kuruppu told Daily News Business.

“The country’s export sector needs to have strategies to exploit this reduction where an increase in the volume of exports will bring in more foreign exchange. The quick response from the sector could derive benefits,” he said.

Exporters require quality containers to facilitate the export process as at present there is a dearth in related equipment.

The current state of the containers is in a bad shape and also they are not sufficient to accommodate the demand. There is a shortage in containers globally and this has affected the country,” Kuruppu said.

Exports in tea, fibre and apparel have shown an increase.