Sri Lanka’s maritime industry is facing a defining transition, as digital efficiency increasingly determines competitiveness in global shipping networks, according to the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA). While the country’s geographic advantage and port infrastructure remain relevant, industry leaders warn that these strengths alone are no longer sufficient in an environment shaped by speed, predictability, and seamless data exchange.
CASA, the apex body representing the shipping and agency sector, says maritime success today depends on how well ports, regulators, and logistics players function as a digitally integrated ecosystem. Competing regional hubs are rapidly adopting interconnected platforms, raising expectations among shipping lines for faster turnaround times and lower transaction costs.
Industry stakeholders point out that port performance extends far beyond terminal productivity. Vessel and cargo movements involve a wide network of participants, including shipping agents, freight forwarders, terminals, transport operators, Customs, port authorities, and border agencies. When these stakeholders rely on fragmented or partially digital systems, inefficiencies multiply through repeated submissions, manual interventions, and inconsistent processes.
CASA has repeatedly stressed that digitalisation must be implemented across the entire maritime and logistics chain rather than through isolated initiatives. According to the association, stand-alone digital tools, while useful in limited contexts, fail to deliver system-wide gains unless they are integrated into a common framework.
The association has called for the accelerated rollout of industry-wide platforms such as Port Community Systems, which allow real-time information sharing among all stakeholders. Such systems are widely used in major global ports to reduce delays, improve transparency, and enhance coordination across supply chains.
CASA also welcomed the introduction of ASYHUB by Sri Lanka Customs as a step toward modernising trade processes. Electronic manifest submissions and pre-arrival data exchange, the association noted, align Sri Lanka with international standards. However, industry representatives caution that the platform’s success depends on its ability to integrate fully with terminal operating systems, shipping line platforms, and future Port Community Systems.
Digital initiatives, CASA emphasised, must lead to measurable improvements rather than simply replicating manual processes in electronic form. Faster cargo clearance, real-time coordination, and data-driven decision-making are seen as essential outcomes.
The association further highlighted the importance of completing the Maritime and National Single Window initiatives, noting that partial implementation risks adding complexity instead of reducing it. Clear governance, accountability, and timelines are viewed as critical to ensuring that these systems deliver tangible efficiency gains.
In a highly competitive shipping environment, CASA warned that digital transformation is no longer optional but essential to safeguarding Sri Lanka’s role as a regional maritime hub.
