SLPA- Logistics Division

2.2.3. Sections of the Logistic Division The links between the sections of the Logistics Division should be strong enough to perform as an individual to provide smooth customer oriented service. I had learnt about all the duties and responsibilities of each and every section during the 06 weeks at the Logistics Division. As a result of that I had summarize all the important facts under this session as follows;

2.2.3.1. Document Receiving Section Operation Manager (Receiving) is the in charge of the Document receiving section which is the origin point of the import cargo clearing process. Following are the main functions and duties carried by the Document Receiving Section:

Manifest Receiving: Manifest is a document that includes vessel details and a full description of cargo containing in the consignment. Once a shipment arrives at the port the consignee or a forwarding agent on behalf of the consignee has to submit manifests to the Document Receiving Section. It is prepared on shipment basis. Manifest has to be submitted in four copies within 24 hours of berthing of the vessel. Four copies are allocated as follows; Custom copy Agent copy Copy for the claim section One copy as a record

Manifest Reading: classification of containers as Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Container Load (LCL) by means of the manifest.

Full Container Load (FCL) - The container is fully loaded by the cargos which are consigned to one consignee.

Less Container Load (LCL) The container is fully or partially loaded by cargos which are consigned to more than one consignee. Containers with mixed cargo (Local & Transshipment) should be treated as LCL even if all the local cargo is consigned to one consignee, irrespective of the tonnage involved in such consignment. Preparing the cargo de- stuffing program for Less Container Load (LCL) and sending to the specific warehouses. Feeding the programmed data to the SLPA website. Booking the Custom overtime (OT) for warehouse operations. Issuing gate passes for the containers which are pointed to the CFS- Peliyagoda.

2.2.3.2. Delivery Section Deliveries of cargo can be categorized according to the methods and procedures of delivery as; -Normal Delivery (LCL) -Direct Delivery -Delivery of Wrong/ Nil mark packages -Delivery under marks Various -Delivery from Repository or part cargo warehouse 2.2.3.3. Warehousing Warehousing and distribution are the core functions of the logistics chain. There are eight locations maintained under Logistics Division to facilitate the storage capacity. I was attached to the warehouse operations for three weeks during the training under the Logistics Division. Within this period I had opportunity to visit and observe the operational pattern of number of warehouses within the port premises and at the Peliyagoda. With the changing of the working atmosphere I was able to learn about many important aspects of warehouse handling and its document procedure in practical scenario. -Delivery of FCL Containers -Delivery of Over Carried Cargo -Delivery of Dangerous Cargo -Delivery of Sales Cargo -Special Delivery

2.2.3.3.1. Container Freight Station I (CFS I) Special aspect of CFS1 warehouse is having elevated platforms and it makes easy to conduct landing and delivery operations and it leads to reduce mounting and demounting frequency of a container. The area of this warehouse is approximately 56950 sq ft and it consists of a Grill (for stack damaged cargo and value cargo) and 20 bays to stack cargo. The bays are allocated to stack cargo according to the cargo type and package type in specific manner
Figure 2.22- CFS1; Elevated Platform

De-stuffing containers (Landing), stacking and re- stacking cargo inside the warehouse, stuffing and delivery of LCL cargo to the notified party (Consignee or wharf clerk of the Clearing Agency on behalf of the consignee) are the main functions of the CFS1 and the types of cargo handle in the CFS1 are General cargo, General DC, Mail Cargo and SLPA and Dockyard Cargo. Specific gangs are assigned to the particular operational activities as De- stuffing gangs, Re-stacking gangs and Delivery gangs. Generally Cargo is de-stuffed from containers Monday-Fridays at Night and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: all day. Cargo is delivered to containers Mondays-Fridays during the daytime only.

2.2.3.3.2. Container Freight Station II/ IIB and III (CFS II/IIB/ III) - Kochchikade The Dangerous Cargo (DC) Yard is located within the port premises in Kochchikade area. Mr. L.G.S.M. Thilakaratne; The Chief Superintendent of the CFSII is the responsible person for all cargos handling at CFSII, CFSIIB and CFSIII warehouses at the current situation. CFSII is the specific warehouse for handles DCs which was established according to the parliament gazette in 1987. CFSIIB and CFSIII are mainly allocated to handle General DC and General Cargos.

Figure 2.23- Dangerous Cargo Yard Plan (Kochchikade)

When I was spent the time period at DC Yard Kochchikade, Especially I was able to gather knowledge on International Maritime Organization (IMO) classification and SLPA grouping method of DC as follows;
Table 2.8- DC Classification

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)

IMO Class Explosives Gasses Inflammable Liquids Inflammable Solid Oxidizing Agents Poisonous Radio Active Substances Corrosive Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances

SLPA Group (Considering Flash Point) I or IA II or III IA, II or III I, IA, II, III,III or IV I, IA or III II or III I and II II, III and IV -

SLPA Grouping of Dangerous Cargo is based on the flashing points of the each substance. Following are the brief descriptions of the SLPA groups of DCs;

1E: High explosive, explosive substances and articles which have mass explosion hazard. Ex; Ammonium Perclorate, Amatols- type B

1A/ 1AE: Explosive- but not a mass explosion substance that form explosive or explode when mixed with other material. Ex; 1A- Acetyle Clyclohexanesol/ Phonyl Peroxide/ Aluminium Powder. 1AE- Ammonium Nitrate.

11/ 11E: Not explosive substance of IMO classes, wide range of hazardous materialsChemicals. Ex; 11- Accetaldehyde/ Aldol/ Acetoin, 11E- Calcium Nitrate.

111: Permit to storage outside Kochchikade hazardous are dangerous cargo tariff rate is not applicable. Ex; Acetylene Tetrabromide/ Acrylamide Solid.

1V: Hazardous Cargo- Dangerous Cargo tariff is not applicable. Ex; Bateries (Wet)/ Dry Cotton.

Container Freight Station IV (CFS IV) - Pettah

Generally operational functions of the cargo handle in CFS IV can be counted as parallel to the other Container Freight Stations of SLPA. But especially CFS IV is allocated to handle the Multi Country Consolidation (MCC) operations purposefully. I could observe how things practically happen in MCC operations during the spent at CFS IV.
Figure 2.24- CFS IV; Pettah

Container Freight Station- Peliyagoda

CFS- Peliyagoda is a modern Container Freight Station of approximately 19500 sq meters available stuffing and de-stuffing of cargo. Specially handles Unaccompanied Personal Baggage, General Cargo, and General DC in this warehouse. It has a well planed storage system in Consignee wise and unit wise. Usually de-stuff 8 TEUs in day shift and 24 TEUs in night shift. Other than that Saturday is allocated for re- stacking the warehouse and at Sunday de-stuffs 40 TEUs for day and night shifts. CFS- Peliyagoda is directing under a well managed Information System called as Container Freight Management System (CFMS).

Bonded Warehouse- Container Freight Station (CFS V- Pettah) and Canal Yard Warehouse

CFS-V (Pettah) and the Canal Yard warehouses are facilitated the storing capacity for bonded cargo within the port premises. Most of consignees utilize bonding facility provided by the SLPA to overcome their problems as; If not conveniences to store cargo in their own premises and

warehouses and if they are not able to do all the Custom Duty payments and clear the cargo simultaneously, they use bonded warehouses to store cargo to clear them step by step. Majority of valuable cargo involved in the bonding procedure, some of them are Electrical Goods, Liquor, Cigarettes, Paint, Lubricant oils, types of papers and vehicles. Other than that the in the bonding procedure, accept the storage of all varieties of goods except DCs and perishable goods. Usually vehicles and Lubricant oils handle in Canal Yard bonded warehouse and other type of cargo handle in Pettah bonded warehouse. Pettah Bonded Warehouse (CFS V) has around 2100 sq meters Capacity including the 160 sq meters Cool Room capacity. Entreport Operation

Import Cargo is re exported after value adding service or making any changes of the product without using within the country (with the original condition). This is one of the profitable trades done by the SLPA with promote of particular exporters. In this case the custom duty is not applicable and it leads to generate revenue to the SLPA. This operation also flows under the Bonded Warehouse unit.
Bandaranayake Quay (BQ- I/II/III/IV)

BQ warehouses are mainly used for handle MCC operations (I had mentioned it under the CFS IV warehouse operations) and normal LCL operations and they are located with respect to the BQ berth facilities.
Repository Warehouse (PVQ)

Repository Warehouse is located at the Prince Vijaya Quay (PVQ) providing 6000 sq ft storage capacity and it is allocated for store the abundant cargo which is removed from the zone 02 warehouses as CFSI, CFSII/III and CFS-IV. Custom valuation and cargo observation by tenderers under Sale Procedure (will be discussed under the Sale Section) are some functions of the Repository Warehouse.
Documents used in warehouses, when handling Cargo

-Ship Manifest -Bill of Lading (B/L) -Invoice -Custom Entries/

-Packing List -Boat Notes -Gate passes (Cart Notes) -Shipping Agent Delivery

-SLPA Delivery Order -Discharging Container List -Wrong/ Nil Mark

Application -Special Passes (Internal Passes)

Order -Cargo Survey Repots -Port Entry Permits

Applications -Wharf Clerks Identity Cards (A pass, B pass)

Sales Section SLPA has a right to sale Imported cargo which are not cleared and delivery within 21 days (Number of days are counted from de-stuff date in working days) by consignees. General cargo has to sale by tendering and auctioning within 03 months and perishables have to sale within 03 days. Other than that the sale section is involved in the sale of discarded goods in SLPA. I could learn the sale procedure of the general cargo and perishable cargo separately during the stay at sale section.

Wharf Administration Section The SLPA provides for the issue of licenses to wharf clearing agents under wharf Administration Section. I have summarized the main duties and responsibilities are carried by this unit as follows; Issuing A passes and B passes for wharf clerks, renewing passes regularly and maintain a file as a record for each registered wharf clerk. Issuing clearing licensees for clearing agencies, renewing clearing licenses regularly and maintains record in agency wise. Inform to the consignees about the custom detention cargo.

Wharf Claim Section Imported cargo can be damaged or lost before the delivery from SLPA warehouses. SLPA is not bearing the responsibilities for such cargo in most of the cases. But the consignee can claim about their cargo through Wharf Claim Section. Service Provided: 1. Dealing with wharf inquiry claims. 2. Issuing of exact of cargo Disposal Report.

I. II.

WIC (1) - Inquiry on Storage of cargo. WIC (2) - Inquiry on damaged of cargo.

Rent Waivering Section Rent and Dues are the charges for retain cargo in the warehouses since the de-stuffing of cargo up to delivery. In some special cases, the Rent Waivering is applicable. The Minister of Ports and Highway is the responsible person to authorize the rent waiver applications. I was able to study about the methodology of Rent Waivering during the period that I spent at this unit. The requirement should be fulfilled to get rent waiver as follows; 1. Should be registered as a charitable organization. 2. Should be proved as donation cargo. 3. Should be approved as duty free cargo by Ministry of Finance.