The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd. (CPSTL) are on the verge of introducing a Global Monitoring System (GPS)-based fleet management programme in the coming months, aimed at streamlining fuel bowser usage and reducing costs, The Sunday Morning learns.

According to CPC Chairman Mohamed Uvais Mohamed, the CPSTL has recently conducted a proof of concept trial with several bowsers and validated the process.

“We believe that this GPS system will help us better manage our fleet and it is expected that, once fully operational, it will lead to savings of about Rs. 1 billion,” Mohamed told The Sunday Morning.

It is understood that the acquisition of the proposed system was recommended by Mohamed last year, but the approval and procurement process had taken more than six months.

The CPSTL currently maintains a fleet of 150 fuel bowsers which supply fuel stations around the island. 

According to the CPSTL, under phase one of the project, all 150 State-owned bowsers will be equipped with the GPS tracking and management system by the end of the year.

The CPSTL envisages that approximately 700 privately-owned bowsers that make up the bulk of the domestic fuel logistics chain will be equipped with the system under phase two of the project.

However, the CPSTL did not comment on the cost of the system which is being procured.