The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the McLarens Maritime Academy recently entered in to a Memoranda of Understanding where CCC appointed surveyors will have an opportunity to undertake training programmes to enhance their technical know-how in the fields of bunker and draught survey.

In addition to theoretical knowledge, the above training courses will deliver “On the Job Training (OJT)” on board in their own fleet of vessels through practical on-field experiences to apply theories learned in the classroom. The sessions will be conducted by internationally accredited industry experts with vast amount of experience. The programmes will run for four days of theory and an on board one-day practical session.

The McLarens Maritime Academy (MMA), a subsidiary of the McLarens Group, will be offering all Maritime survey related training in collaboration with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the appointing body for Sri Lankan Marine Surveyors/Assessors as required by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority for its entry permit.  Being the only Maritime Institute in Sri Lanka that owns and operates its own fleet of vessels, MMA provide trainees with “On the Job Training (OJT)” on board their own vessels. The trainings are conducted by Industry level experts to ensure all trainees are exposed to the highest level of education in this subject. With the unprecedented boom in the Maritime Industry, coupled with the Government’s vision of becoming a Maritime Hub in Indian Ocean, the demand for Marine Surveyors are on the rise.

Shehara Jayawardena Joint Managing Director of the McLarens said, “together with the expertise of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the 70-year industry experience brought in through the McLarens Group, we are confident, the synergies we create will open a new chapter in Marine Training Industry of Sri Lanka. It is first time in Sri Lanka that these type of specialized maritime training will be conducted in collaboration with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and we are looking forward to innovate and carry out more maritime industry specific trainings which would address current and future training needs of the industry. Manjula de Silva, CEO Secretary/ General of CCC stated “We are pleased to be a partner in this unique opportunity on transferring invaluable knowledge in Marine Training with the expertise of the McLarens Group. McLarens Group has been a long standing member of the Ceylon Chamber. Making a joint initiative to support the country’s long term vision through uplifting the competency and proficiency of Maritime Surveyors / Assessors for the first time in Sri Lanka is a great step taken.”

McLarens Group of companies is one of Sri Lanka’s largest diversified conglomerates with a rich history of over 70 years offering Maritime and Logistics sector activities. In addition, the Group has established a dominant presence in Petroleum & Energy, Manufacturing & Distribution, Property & Strategic Investment and Leisure. They also represent some of the world’s largest Liners, a feeder line and several NVOCC operators with an overall approximate of 35- 40% throughput of the container volumes in Sri Lanka. The Group owns and operates its very own fleet of vessels, tugs and boats, along with the largest bunker barge fleet in the country. McLarens Shipping Limited (MSL) and GAC Shipping Limited (GAC) of the McLarens Group of Companies are listed P&I Correspondents in Sri Lanka, for International Group of P&I Clubs and other Fixed Premium products.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), as Sri Lanka’s premier business grouping for over 180 years, is engaged in delivering a spectrum of services to the business community to help enrich their potential and capacities. The Chamber’s ongoing work promotes cross-border trade and investment, disseminates critical market intelligence through constant research, provides periodical reports and updates on the economy, conducts knowledge transfer seminars, engages with the government on behalf of the private sector, and offers business services which includes but is not limited to, issuing certificates of origin and other business related documents. All these have contributed towards national economic value creation.