South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) was honored with a sector award in the main awards category for the second consecutive year at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2025, hosted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
The terminal operator also received a merit certificate in the Project Award category for its significant initiative, “Breaking Barriers: SAGT’s Pioneering Journey Towards Gender Equality in Sri Lanka’s Port Industry.” The official ceremony took place on November 19, 2025.
“SAGT is honoured to have been recognized at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2025. Sustainability is ingrained into our business and is part and parcel of what we do,” said Udara Cumaratunga, General Manager, Commercial and Marketing. “Looking ahead, we are committed to continuing on a sustainable path that will continue to benefit our business, the environment, our stakeholders, employees, and the community.”
The company is driving towards achieving net zero emissions ahead of the 2050 IMO target. A major step was the retrofitting of Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes with hybrid technology. Six cranes were hybridized during FY 2024/25, increasing the total hybrid fleet from 22 to 28 cranes. This project has reduced fuel consumed per machine by over 50%, contributing directly to the reduction in Scope 1 emissions.
Furthermore, the installation of a 460kW solar array generates 3-5% of the current annual electricity usage. These efforts have cumulatively reduced emission intensity by 22% since 2019/20, largely driven by reducing Scope 1 emissions. Plans include leveraging digitisation, automation, and equipment electrification to decarbonise operations further. Going beyond its operational boundaries, SAGT has partnered with the Centre for Sustainability, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, to restore five acres of the Benthara River Mangrove Complex, in addition to the five acres previously restored at the Yagirala Forest Reserve.
The company also upholds its employees as its most valued asset. This commitment was demonstrated by a 42% increase in employee training hours compared to the previous year, covering health and safety, leadership, and technical skills development. SAGT also began implementing LEAN principles with guidance from the APMT Global LEAN Academy, introducing methodologies like KAIZEN and 5S to drive continuous improvement, waste management, and employee-driven process efficiencies.
SAGT’s groundbreaking initiative on gender equality, which earned the merit certificate, focused on improving gender diversity by engaging relevant regulatory agencies to overcome archaic port rules that restricted women from entering port-controlled areas after 6:00 PM. In a major industry development, SAGT secured special regulatory approval to integrate females into night shift operational roles, onboarding 12 female graduates in January 2025 and overcoming long-standing industry barriers.
This determination to make a difference is reflected in the increase of female representation in the organisation from a previously stagnated 4% to 6% during the reporting year, representing a significant milestone in promoting gender equality within Sri Lanka’s Port sector. SAGT will continue to strive to create further opportunities for women in the country’s Port sector.
