MOL recognises HIP safety protocols

Global Maritime logistics company Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd (MOL) has recognised the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) for their safety protocols and has certified the Hambantota International Port’s best practices as an industry benchmark.

A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to HIP at MOL’s Annual Stevedore Meeting (India and Indian Ocean Region), held at the Accord Metropolitan Hotel in Chennai earlier this week commending HIP for achieving a lowest incident rate and maintaining safe PCC (Pure Car Carrier) cargo handling during the period 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022.  Capt. Sakai Yuki, General Manager of MOL ACE (Asia, Oceania), presented the certificate which was accepted by Thilina Perera – HIP Operations Manager on behalf of HIP.  

“Unlike other finished product cargoes which come containerised, RORO operations handled by the port are highly prone to damages as they are transshipped from one vessel to another without any packaging.  Therefore, diligence, skill and well ordered standard operational procedures are necessary to ensure minimal accidents.  This is what HIP has achieved and the port is now being recognised internationally for our safety standards by industry giants like MOL,” says Tissa Wickramasinghe; the COO of HIPG.

MOL which owns and operates dry bulkers, tankers, LNG carriers, ferries & coastal RoRo ships, cruise ships and transports dry bulk cargo such as iron ore, coal, grains, wood, wood chips, cement, fertiliser and salt, organised this annual meeting for the first time in the Indian Ocean Region.  The objective of the meeting was to discuss cargo volume forecast, damage prevention activities and analysis of cargo accidents during the financial year that ended  March 2022.

Left to right: Rohan Sanjeewa - Manager-QHSE, HIPS; Kavindu Fernando - Junior Operations Manager, HLPL; Thilina Lakmal - Senior Supervisor, Hambantota Logistics (Pvt) Limited (HLPL); Capt. S. Adhavan - MOL ACE (Asia Oceania) – Marine Team, MOL ACE (Asia Oceania) Chennai; Capt. Dmitry Semenov - Assistant Manager - Safety & cargo supervising the Team Car Carrier division, Headquarters of product Transport & real Property business; Capt. Dibyendu Banerjee - General Manager - Marine, Shipping & Customer Service (MOL INDIA PVT LTD); Capt. Sakai Yuki - General Manager, MOL ACE (Asia, Oceania) – Marine Team, MOL (Asia Oceania) Pte Ltd; Thilina Perera-Operations Manager (HIPG); Harshana Tennakoon (Duty Manager-Operations (HIPG).