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Hapag-Lloyd Lanka proves its mettle amidst challenging business conditions with the recognition as the Best Customer Service Provider for the Europe Sector

Hapag-Lloyd Lanka, a subsidiary of Aitken Spence PLC and the local representation for Hapag-Lloyd AG-Hamburg was awarded the Best Customer Service Provider for the Europe Trade at the recently held award ceremony by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (UK) – Sri Lanka Branch.

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) (UK) founded in 1911 and received the ‘Royal Charter’ in the year 1920; is fundamentally dedicated in promoting professionalism in the international maritime industry. Its worldwide acceptance affirms the ‘Institute’ as the only professional body that sets the highest standards of professional service to the shipping industry world over.

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) Sri Lanka Branch commenced in awarding ‘Customer Service Awards’ at their Annual ICS Awards Ceremony in the year 1997 under the leadership of Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake the former chairman of the ICS Sri Lanka Branch, who later on became the first non Britisher to be elected as the International President of the Institute, in the year 2017-2019.

This award is a direct result of several customer-centric initiatives led by Hapag-Lloyd Lanka over the recent years, to align its competitive strategy with Hapag-Lloyd strategy 2023.

Hapag-Lloyd strategy 2023 focuses on high-quality service to customers, increasing the efficiency of its business processes and increasing organizational agility.

Hapag-Lloyd Lanka is the 1st Liner Agency Company in Sri Lanka to receive both ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. These dual certifications demonstrate its commitment to uphold international benchmarks in quality and environmental standards.

“Receiving the award for the best customer service provider during the global pandemic is a significant achievement and is a reflection of the strength of Hapag-Lloyd Lanka to provide an uninterrupted service using modern technology, while assuring the safety of all staff members”, commented Mr. Lalith Witanachchi, Assistant Vice President Hapag-Lloyd Lanka.

“Aitken Spence Maritime performed exceptionally well during the financial year 2020/2021, despite the negative impact of the global pandemic situation towards the macro economic situation in the country”, said Mr. Iqram Cuttilan, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Maritime.

Hapag-Lloyd AG is one of the world’s leading container shipping lines based in Hamburg, Germany, and is ranked the 5th Largest Liner Shipping company in the world, operating one of the largest shipping container fleet and today ranks among the top 04 mainline carriers to the Port of Colombo. Hapag-Lloyd currently operate 08 services to Colombo on a weekly and regular basis, using Colombo Port as a transshipment hub in the region.

Hapag-Lloyd Lanka is a joint venture between Aitken Spence Maritime and Hapag-Lloyd-AG. Aitken Spence Maritime is a pioneer in the industry and was the first in Sri Lanka to undertake port efficiency enhancement management overseas with its entry into the African continent and subsequently South Pacific islands. The Company handles all areas of maritime services from ship agents and cargo handlers to liner agency, cruise vessels, port management and development, chartering services and maritime education.

(Right to Left) Mr. Kirk Baldsing, Manager - Sales & Marketing (Europe Trade) of Hapag-Lloyd Lanka, receiving the Award from Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri, Director Post Graduate Institute of Management with the presence of Mr. Kingsley Abeywickrama, Chairman ICS Sri Lanka Branch