Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) Shipping Line of Japan is looking at the possibility of working with the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) to boost its cargo-holding capacity.
NYK senior representative Yasutada Kobayashi-san was in the country last Thursday and held talks with Ports CEO Eranda Kotelawala, He also toured the newly expanded Honiara port.
Mr Kabayashi-san was accompanied by Carpenter Shipping General Manager for PNG and Solomon Islands Perba Sivalingam.
Carpenters Shipping Line is NYK’s agent in the Pacific region.
Mr Kotelawala said NYK and Carpenters Shipping were purposely here ‘to explore possibilities of further cooperation with SIPA for increased (cargo) volume through the Port of Honiara and Port of Noro.’
“SIPA is planning to transform itself into a regional transshipment hub, transshipping vehicles via the Honiara Port to the rest of the (pacific) regional ports.
“SIPA is discussing plans with NYK and Carpenters to improve its (port cargo) volume in the future and increased (shipping liner) calls to Solomon Islands.
The Solomon Star also accompanied the high-level officers’ visit to the Honiara International seaport.
Mr Kabayashi-san was impressed with the new state- of- the- art port facility and the new technologies used which have boosted port operations.
He also met with SIPA board members and they shared ideas on the way forward for SIPA.
The NYK senior representative told the board members that he will engage in further consultations with them to see a successful partnership.
SIPA Board chairman Billy Titiulu acknowledged the business venture and expressed hope for a positive outcome.
NYK is one of the oldest and largest shipping companies in the world.
It is a member of the Mitsubishi keiretsu.
The company has its headquarters in Chiyoda, Tokyo and a fleet of about 800 ships including containerships, tankers, bulk and woodchip carriers, Ro-Ro car carriers, reefer vessels, and LNG and cruise ships.
By TEDDY KAFO
