Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents Conducts its 57th Annual General Meeting

From left: CASA Treasurer Mushin Kitchilan, Vice Chairman Janesh Ratnadasa, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra , Chief Guest Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, CASA Chairman M.I.S. Sabar , Sri Lanka Port Authority Chairman Keith D. Bernard and CASA Secretary General Ralph Anandappa 

Pix by Ruwan Walpola

Chief Guest Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, CASA Chairman M.I.S. Sabar  with committee members

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister 
Nimal Siripala De Silva

CASA Chairman M.I.S. Sabar 

 Immediate Past President Shehara De Silva

Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA), the voice of the shipping industry and the apex body that represents shipping in Sri Lanka, tracing its roots back to 1944, held its 57th Annual General Meeting on 30 June at the Grand Ball room of The Hilton Colombo amidst a large and representative gathering of over 600 participants. Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and the Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, State Minister for Defense  Pramitha Bandara Tennekoon, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Secretary K. D. S. Ruwanchandra, and Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Keith D. Bernard were among the Guests of Honour attendees. 

McLarens Holdings Group Managing Director and the first woman chairperson of CASA Shehara De Silva, stepped down as chairman, and Hayleys Advantis Ltd. Deputy Managing Director Shano Sabar was elected as chairman of CASA for the year 2023/2024. Asha Shipping Ltd. Executive Vice President Janesh Ratnadasa, and Hemas Maritime Ltd. Director Mushin Kitchilan, were elected Vice Chairman and Treasurer respectively

The Executive Committee elected for the period 2023/2024 comprises Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd., Ceyline Agencies Ltd., Malship (Ceylon) Ltd., McLarens Shipping Ltd., Marine international Agencies Ltd., Penguin Shipping Enterprises Ltd., Prudential Shipping Lines Ltd., Setmil United cargo Ltd. and Simatech Marine Lanka Ltd.

Stake holder recognition by CASA 

The Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) considers the invaluable contribution by Stakeholders in the Sri Lankan Maritime Industry to be a key component in the value chain of a dynamic, vibrant and expanding Maritime Hub. It requires the contribution and coordination among all stakeholders for the Maritime Industry to develop and thrive. This includes Ministries, Ports, Terminals, Border control agencies, Merchant Shipping Secretariat, Sri Lanka Navy, Health authorities and several other authorities and stakeholders whose involvement is invaluable to maintain the smooth flow of cargo, crew and ships in Sri Lanka. The Executive Committee of Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) in appreciation of stakeholders acknowledge their valued contribution towards the progress and development of the Maritime industry in the recent years in challenging circumstances. These awards were presented by Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer of CASA to representatives of the following stakeholders.

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Ministry of Power and Energy, Ministry of Defense, Merchant Shipping Secretariat, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Hambantota International Port Group Ltd., Department of Immigration and Emigration, South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd, Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Customs and Quarantine Unit- Ministry of Health

CASA mobile app

CASA, the voice of the shipping industry, was pleased to unveil an exciting development at the AGM 2023. Supporting and giving leadership to digitalisation CASA launched its very own mobile application that is set to revolutionise the way the industry goes about day-to-day tasks! 

CASA Connect is a user-friendly and innovative application designed to provide all the essential information of the shipping industry right at your fingertips! The app would provide a wide range of services from the CASA Directory, event notifications, news, weekly ship schedules, exchange rates and even the bridge magazine. Connect to experience CASA Connect was the tag line for this launch.

The app will be available on IOS and Android devices in the upcoming weeks.

CASA Seafarers Awards 2023.

The lifeline of the Shipping industry is none other than its very own seafarers! To recognise the valued contribution CASA plans to conduct the CASA Seafarers Awards 2023.The aim of these awards are to recognise Sri Lankan seafarers for their contributions and commitment to their duties during the troubled post-pandemic and economic recession which has affected our country. These awards have been built upon honouring these individuals who have gone above and beyond what is expected from them to raise the benchmark of excellence and set the precedent for future mariners to follow.

The award categories are:

nBest Deck Cadet of the year Award

nBest Engine Cadet of the year Award

nBest Leader of the year (Non-Officer) Award

nBravery at Sea Award

nBest Junior Officer of the year Award

Sponsors 

We would also like to thank our sponsors of the evening, Prudential Shipping Lines the platinum sponsor. McLarens Holdings, CWT Globelink Colombo, Hayleys Advantis and Unifeeder Lanka the gold sponsors. Aitken Spence Shipping, Evergreen Shipping Agency Lanka, FTL Colombo, Clarion Shipping and South Asia Gateway Terminals our silver sponsors along with Colombo West International Terminals Ltd., Centrum Marine Consultancy Ltd., Inchcape Mackinnon Mackenzie Shipping Ltd., MSC Lanka Ltd. and CGV Antony Ltd. and all the other sponsors without whom this event wouldn’t have been possible.

Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents

The Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents, well known by the acronym CASA, is the voice of the shipping industry of Sri Lanka and has served the industry with unwavering focus and dedication since the association began as the Ceylon Shipping Committee in 1944. 

Its members represent all international shipping lines who call Sri Lankan ports due to its very strategic location in close proximity to the main international shipping lanes. 

Members of CASA are involved in vessel agency, husbanding services and act as manning/crewing agents for leading ship owners and managers. CASA members also provide various other services to ship owners/managers in the ports of Sri Lanka and at off port locations. 

CASA through its sub committees mentioned below have regular dialogue with stakeholders, government institutions, regulatory bodies and other government and private sector agencies, CASA seeks to effect an interchange of ideas and information, represent and advocate the views of the association in all official fora and shape the future of the industry by investing in education and training for its members and working with maritime training academies to train seafarers.

• Container Operations – Mainline and Feeder Operators
• BreakBulk, Bulk, Tankers, RO – RO, Casual Callers and Bunkering
• Documentation and Information Technology
• Education and Training
• Public relations and Publicity 
• Maritime Security Services
• Finance and Tariff
• Membership Activities 
• Crew Management, Manning and Training.

(Source: Daily Mirror)