14. The objects of the Bureau shall be-
| (a) to provide for a central freight booking office for allocation of freight space on any ocean going vessel, in respect of goods, produce and merchandise of whatsoever class or description that shall be shipped from any port in Sri Lanka to any destination outside Sri Lanka; |
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| (b) to ensure the aggregation of goods, produce and merchandise of whatsoever class or description that shall be shipped from any port in Sri Lanka to any destination outside Sri Lanka with a view to ensuring economic loads to ocean going vessels calling at the ports of Sri Lanka; |
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| (c) to rationalize the frequency of calls and the availability of vessels for the carriage of goods, produce and merchandise of whatsoever class or description that shall be shipped from any port in Sri Lanka to any destination outside Sri Lanka; |
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| (d) to arrange for the carriage of goods, produce and merchandise of whatsoever class or description that shall be shipped from any port in Sri Lanka to any destination outside Sri Lanka; |
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| (e) to take such measures as are necessary to ensure efficient and regular services for the shipment of goods, produce and merchandise from any port in Sri Lanka to any destination outside Sri Lanka; |
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| (f) to foster the development of the national merchant fleet; |
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| (g) to improve port performance, loading rate in the ports of Sri Lanka, the handling of cargo and other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; |
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| (h) to negotiate with shipowners and shipping lines, individually or collectively, on matters such as freight rates, surcharges, adequacy, frequency and efficiency of shipping services and matters incidental thereto; |
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| (i) to enter into agreements with shipowners and shipping lines, individually or collectively, either on its own or on behalf of shippers, and arrange for the carriage of goods, produce and merchandise of whatsoever class or description that shall be shipped from any port in Sri Lanka to any destination outside Sri Lanka; |
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| (j) to reduce costs incurred by shippers; |
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| (k) to obtain most favourable freight rates and terms for the carriage of goods, produce and merchandise of whatsoever class or description that shall be shipped from any port in Sri Lanka to any destination outside Sri Lanka; |
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| (l) to undertake research on shipping and freight rates; and |
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| (m) to do all such other acts or things as are necessary for or incidental to the attainment of the objects herein before mentioned. |
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Sri Lanka Consolidated Acts