- Leverages longstanding relationships with international carriers to ship exports
Leading integrated global logistics solutions provider, Expolanka
Freight (EFL) announced the successful completion of two shipments of
general and perishable goods out of Mattala Rajapaksa International
Airport (MRIA) utilising converted incoming passenger repatriation
flights last week.
Given the company’s role as the first to move cargo out of MRIA in 2013
and first to start operating during the pandemic, EFL worked in
alignment with national objectives to help secure a rapid post-COVID
economic resurgence.
In the past month, EFL shipped 25 tons of general cargo from Colombo to
Dubai to markets in the United States and European Union utilising an
Emirates repatriation flight on 9 August.
Similarly, the company also facilitated the shipment of a further four
tons of perishable fruits and vegetables supplied by YAS Lanka Ltd. to
Oman on 16 August via Salaam Air. Notably, domestic road freight between
Mattala and BIA was facilitated using EFL’s network of specialised
operators for perishable goods and standard fleet for general cargo.
“EFL is proud to have been the first and only logistics specialist with
the requisite agility, advanced expertise and global network necessary
to step up and directly support the Government’s efforts to revitalise
cargo operations out of MRIA. These operations send an important signal
to markets globally, namely: that despite all challenges, Sri Lanka is
opening up for exports.
“In achieving this important milestone, we are extremely grateful to the
support provided by airport authorities and Customs officials, as well
as our international partners for working with speed and agility to
ensure we keep the Sri Lankan economy moving efficiently, while ensuring
the safe repatriation of our fellow citizens,” EFL Managing Director
Saif Yusoof stated.
He further noted that the scaling up of cargo operations at MRIA would
have major positive implications for the country’s agriculture sector
and related industries, given that the Mattala Airport was situated in
close proximity to a major Agriculture Processing Zone, thus providing
easy access to global markets for local producers of fruits, vegetables
and dairy products.
General activity at the MRIA following the outbreak of COVID-19 has been
sharply on the rise with over 50 flights involving 2,188 passengers
having touched down at the airport in June and July 2020 alone –
primarily for the purposes of repatriation and international ship crew
changes.
EFL (Expolanka Freight) is a leading provider of supply chain solutions
and is ranked among the top 30 airfreight forwarders in the world.
Founded in 1982, EFL is headquartered in Sri Lanka and recognized as an
expert in fashion and tech logistics and in recent times has partnered
with leading airlines to provide weekly direct charters to the USA.
EFL is a member of Expolanka PLC – a leading conglomerate with interests
in Logistics, Leisure and Investments. The company has thrived on
overcoming the challenges of operating in limited logistic
infrastructure markets, taking its operations to 23 countries, 60+
offices and over 2,300 staff around the world.