The Jaffna branch office of Smart Marine Lanka marks an important milestone in taking the export and import trade of the Northern Province to a new level. This initiative, which brings global shipping and logistics services closer to manufacturers, farmers, entrepreneurs and exporters in the Northern Province, will create new opportunities for the economic development of the North, said Northern Province Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan.
Smart Marine Lanka Private Limited opened its Jaffna branch office today – on Monday 10 August 2026, on the first floor of the Secretariat of the National Housing Development Authority located on Kandy Road, Jaffna, with the cooperation of the Northern Exporters’ Federation.
Northern Province Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan, who attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest, officially inaugurated the new office.
The Governor noted that the revival of the Kankesanthurai Port and the development of shipping services through it are of great importance to the economic revival of the Northern Province, and stated that the arrival of this company would make a significant contribution towards creating an environment in which agricultural, fisheries and small and medium-scale industrial products produced in the Northern Province can be transported to international markets quickly and competitively.
The Governor also pointed out that the direct cargo shipping service to be operated from the Karaikal Port in India via the Kankesanthurai Port to Trincomalee and Colombo will create a new dimension in the trade activities of the Northern Province. He said that this will create an opportunity to transport goods within a shorter period and at a lower cost, while also improving the operational efficiency of traders.
The company’s plan to establish warehouses, refrigerated storage facilities and logistics centres in Jaffna will provide significant benefits to farmers in the Northern Province. In particular, this will create an opportunity to preserve perishable produce such as mangoes, drumsticks and other fruits and vegetables in refrigerated containers and sell them when market prices are high, while also reducing post-harvest losses, the Governor noted.
If an environment is created in which goods imported from India to the Northern Province can directly reach the Kankesanthurai Port without depending on the Colombo Port, transportation time, handling costs and unnecessary delays will be significantly reduced. At the same time, the benefits will reach the general public as the investment cycle of traders is also accelerated.
Smart Marine Lanka will provide a range of services directly from Jaffna, including shipping agency services, cargo transportation services, logistics management, ship and air cargo handling, container services, customs clearance and coordination services.
Company officials stated that through the company’s network in Sri Lanka, India, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Malaysia, it will further strengthen the trade links of the Northern Province.
The opening of this branch office is considered an important advancement in expanding the export economy of the Northern Province, promoting regional trade development centred on the Kankesanthurai Port, and further strengthening the connection of the Northern Province with the international shipping and logistics network.
Jaffna District Secretary M. Pratheepan, the President and officials of the Northern Exporters’ Federation, company officials including the Managing Director of Smart Marine Lanka, trade and industry representatives, exporters, entrepreneurs and many others participated in the event.
