Ceyline Group

What Ceyline Group does

Ceyline Group is a privately-held Sri Lankan diversified maritime conglomerate headquartered in Colombo, founded in 1985 and operating with over 800 staff across four sectors: marine/shipping services, education, healthcare, and leisure & travel. The marine sector is the core business, comprising 11 wholly-owned subsidiaries plus a joint venture, delivering crew recruitment and management (Ceyline Shipping), port agency and ship husbandry (Ceyline Maritime Services, Ceyline Agencies), reefer container monitoring and surveys (Marine Survey & Technology Services), marine engineering and steel fabrication (Ceyline Engineering Services), ship supplies (Oceaneeds), freight forwarding (Cargoserv Shipping), container depot and transportation (Cey Container Services, Califolink Logistics), garments-on-hanger container conversion (Starlink One), and a JV with CMA CGM's manning arm for global crew management (CMA Ships Lanka, established 2016-2017). Underlying technology includes modern container management systems with EDI integration, ISO 9001-2015 certified logistics operations, reefer monitoring technology at Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT), marine engineering and fabrication facilities in Kelaniya, a 5.5-acre container depot in Welisara with 2,700 TEU storage capacity, and a fleet of 350 containers plus 50+ vehicles. Supporting operations include CINEC (Sri Lanka's largest private higher education institute offering 185 programs with marine simulation training facilities in Malabe, Trincomalee and Jaffna), Ceymed Healthcare Services (10 laboratories and 500+ collection centers), Ceyline Travels (IATA-accredited agency), and Ruwala Resort (eco-adventure property in Kalpitiya).

Name

Ceyline Group

Legal name

Ceyline Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.

Website

https://ceyline-group.lk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Ceyline Group is a Sri Lankan diversified maritime conglomerate operating 15+ subsidiaries across marine services, education, healthcare, and leisure. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Colombo, it serves global shipping lines and Sri Lankan consumers with 800+ employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Services

NAICS

Marine Cargo Handling (488320)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Service Provider Coordination (Diving, Inspection, Class/Survey Support) (TLAHAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Bunkering & Port Fuel Supply (EUALAIAG), Kayaking, Canoeing & SUP Coastal Tours (THAAAIAF), LCL (Less-than-Container Load) Consolidation/Deconsolidation (TLACABAB)

Keywords

• Maritime services
• Crew management
• Ship agency
• Freight forwarding
• Marine surveys

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Marine and Shipping Services: Comprehensive shipping services including crew recruitment and management, ship husbandry, marine surveys, ship repairs, reefer management, ship supplies, and agency representation to international shipping lines
2. Container Depot and Logistics Services: Container depot services, container transportation, cargo clearing, freight forwarding, and container rental services
3. Healthcare Diagnostic Services: Laboratory services, pharmacy, channelling, X-ray, scanning, and corporate medical services across 10 laboratories and collection centres
4. Education and Training Services: Higher education programmes in maritime sciences, engineering, management, and other fields through CINEC campus and affiliated universities
5. Travel and Tourism Services: IATA accredited travel agency services including inbound/outbound tours, airline ticketing, visa services, and event management
6. Leisure and Resort Services: Eco-resort accommodation and nature/adventure park services at Kalpitiya including dolphin watching, kite surfing, and water activities
7. Container Conversion Services: Garments on Hanger (GOH) unit conversion for apparel exports and container modifications for various industries

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ceyline Group is a Sri Lanka-based holding company providing diversified services through 15 subsidiaries across four sectors: Marine (crew recruitment, port agency, ship husbandry, reefer container management, marine surveys, ship repairs, ship supplies, freight forwarding, container logistics), Education (maritime and engineering higher education at CINEC), Healthcare (diagnostic laboratory and hospital services through Ceymed), and Leisure & Travel (IATA travel agency and eco-resort). The group's core proposition is a 'One-Stop-Shop' for the marine industry, anchored by three decades of principal relationships with global shipping lines.

Product overview

Ceyline Group is a diversified maritime conglomerate in Sri Lanka operating across four sectors: Marine, Education, Healthcare, and Leisure & Travel. The Marine sector comprises 11 subsidiary companies offering comprehensive shipping services including crew recruitment (Ceyline Shipping, CMA Ships Lanka), ship agency and husbandry (Ceyline Maritime Services, Ceyline Agencies), reefer management and surveys (MSTS), marine engineering repairs (Ceyline Engineering Services), ship supplies (Oceaneeds), freight forwarding (Cargoserv), container logistics (Califolink Logistics, Cey Container Services), and specialized GOH container conversions (Starlink One). The Education sector includes CINEC (Colombo International Nautical & Engineering College), Sri Lanka's largest private higher education institute. The Healthcare sector features Ceymed Healthcare Services providing diagnostic and hospital services. The Leisure & Travel sector encompasses Ceyline Travels (travel agency) and Ruwala Resort (eco-adventure resort). This portfolio positions Ceyline as a 'One-Stop-Shop' for maritime and logistics services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ceyline Shipping Crew Recruitment and Management Comprehensive crew recruitment and management services delivering quality seafarer manpower to international ship managers and ship owning companies, including recruitment, deployment and ongoing crew administration for global fleets.
• Ceyline Maritime Services Ship Agency and Husbandry Ship agency and husbandry services for vessels calling at Sri Lankan ports, including crew changes, spare parts logistics, bunkering arrangements, P&I Club representations, and bunker vessel management (two vessels in Colombo harbour managed on behalf of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation).
• Marine Survey & Technology Services (MSTS) Reefer Management and Surveys Pioneering reefer container monitoring, pre-trip inspection, reefer container repairs, vessel surveys, and underwater services. Exclusive reefer monitoring and repair partner for the Colombo International Container Terminal serving Maersk, APL, MSC, OOCL, Yang Ming, SCI, Mitsui OSK Lines, PIL and other major shipping lines.
• Ceyline Engineering Services Marine Repairs and Fabrication Marine engineering arm undertaking afloat repairs, main engine repairs, crane repairs, generator overhauling, electrical, automation and hydraulic repairs, steel fabrication, and container handling equipment repairs in Kelaniya workshop.
• Oceaneeds Ship Supplies and Chandlery One-stop supplier of ship provisions, bonded items, deck/engine/cabin stores, nautical publications and ISSA quality standard certified items to vessels calling at all Sri Lankan ports and off-port locations. ISO 9001:2015 certified.
• Ceyline Agencies Port Agency and Ship Husbanding Port agency and ship husbanding services providing agency representation, bunker supplies, crew changes, cargo operations, and ship repairs for vessels at Sri Lankan ports. CASA member.
• Cargoserv Freight Forwarding and Logistics Freight forwarding and logistics offering sea and air freight forwarding, cargo consolidations, NVOCC operations, project cargo handling, road transportation, and connectivity through Sinotrans Logistics, WCA/GAA, Combined Logistics Network, World Freight Organization, Hecny Transportation and Crosstrades OBL networks.
• CMA Ships Lanka Crew Management Joint Venture Joint venture between Ceyline and CMA Ships providing crew recruitment and placement services exclusively for Sri Lankan seafarers on board CMA CGM vessels, leveraging Ceyline's 30-year maritime expertise and crew pool through CINEC maritime campus.
• Starlink One Garments on Hanger Container Conversions Pioneer and only one-stop-shop in Sri Lanka for converting general purpose shipping containers into Garments on Hanger (GOH) units for apparel exports, plus specialized container modifications and design for various industries.
• Califolink Logistics and Cargo Services Cargo clearance, logistics, container transportation, storage facilities, automobile transportation (exclusive provider for leading vehicle importers in Sri Lanka), and container design and conversions. Operates a fleet of 50+ vehicles and 350 containers with Rs. 100 million goods-in-transit insurance. ISO 9001-2015 and GSV C-TPAT Gold certified.
• Cey Container Services Depot Operations Modern container depot services at Welisara (5.5 acres / 2,700 TEU capacity located 15km from Port of Colombo) with container handling equipment, storage facilities, reefer container plugging, container repairs, and a Modern Container Tracking System with live updating and EDI capabilities managing all main shipping lines.
• CINEC Higher Education and Maritime Training Sri Lanka's largest private higher education institute and leading maritime training facility in South Asia, offering 185 study and training programmes in maritime sciences, marine engineering, nautical studies, management, and other disciplines at Malabe campus with branch campuses in Trincomalee and Jaffna, plus affiliations with University of Wolverhampton (UK), Dalian Maritime University (China), and University of South Australia.
• Ceymed Healthcare Services Diagnostic and Hospital Services Leading diagnostic service provider in Sri Lanka since 2001 offering laboratory services, pharmacy, channelling (medical consultations), X-ray, ECG, echocardiogram, scanning and corporate medical services across 10 fully equipped laboratories and 489+ collection centres nationwide.
• Ceyline Travels Travel Agency Services IATA accredited travel agency specialized in seafarer travel, outbound and inbound tourism, visa services, airline ticketing, and event management. Member of Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO).
• Ruwala Resort Eco-Retreat and Adventure Park Eco-retreat and adventure park at Kalpitiya spanning 8 acres of coconut garden on the banks of Puttalam Lagoon, offering dolphin/whale watching, kite-surfing, kayaking, diving, nature-based activities, and corporate event stays.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sri Lanka's most diversified maritime group with over 30 years of experience
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CMA Ships (CMA CGM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Joint venture between Ceyline and CMA Ships UK (manning arm of CMA CGM, the third/fourth largest shipping line globally). Established CMA Ships Lanka in 2016/2017 to provide employment opportunities for Sri Lankan seafarers on board CMA CGM vessels. Ceyline contributes 30 years of maritime expertise and crew pool through CINEC maritime campus.
• Ceylon Petroleum CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCeyline Maritime Services appointed as Co-Broker to tender for the affreightment of crude oil by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. CMS manages two bunker vessels in Colombo harbour on behalf of CPC.
• Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive reefer monitoring and repair company for the newly built Colombo International Container Terminal. Conducts all reefer container monitoring operations at CICT.
• University of WolverhamptoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCINEC has affiliation with University of Wolverhampton UK for degree programmes in maritime and other disciplines.
• Dalian Maritime UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCINEC has affiliation with Dalian Maritime University China for degree programmes in maritime studies.
• University of South AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCINEC has affiliation with South Australian University Australia for degree programmes.
• Sinotrans LogisticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCargoserv is a member of Sinotrans Logistics network, enabling competitive rates for freight forwarding operations.
• World Freight Organization (WFO)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCargoserv is a member of World Freight Organization network for global freight forwarding connections.
• Combined Logistics Network (CLN)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCargoserv is a member of Combined Logistics Network for freight forwarding and logistics services.
• WCA/Global Affinity Alliance (GAA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCargoserv is a member of WCA/Global Affinity Alliance for freight forwarding network services.
• Crosstrades OBL LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCargoserv is a partner network member of Crosstrades OBL Ltd for freight forwarding operations.
• Hecny Transportation LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCargoserv is a member of Hecny Transportation Ltd network for logistics services.
• Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCeyline Travels is a member of SLAITO, the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators, providing credibility and network access for inbound tourism services.
• International Air Transport Association (IATA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCeyline Travels is an IATA accredited travel agency, enabling airline ticketing services and industry credibility.
• International Ship Suppliers Association (ISSA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOceaneeds is a member of ISSA, providing internationally recognized quality standards certification for ship supplies and services.
• International Marine Purchasing Association (IMPA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOceaneeds is a member of IMPA for international marine purchasing standards and network access.
• Sri Lanka Ship Suppliers Association (SLSSA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOceaneeds is a member of SLSSA for local ship supplier industry representation.
• Ceylon Association of Ship Agents (CASA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCeyline Agencies is a member of CASA, Ceylon Association of Ship Agents, for industry representation and credibility.

Scale indicators13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Inchcape Shipping Services: Global port agency and maritime services provider operating in 60+ countries. Direct competitor to Ceyline Agencies and Ceyline Maritime Services in port call services, husbandry, and bunker coordination.
• V.Group: UK-based global ship management and crewing group managing 30,000+ seafarers across 1,000+ vessels. Directly comparable to Ceyline Shipping's crew management and CMA Ships Lanka JV model, though larger and globally distributed.
• Anglo-Eastern Univan Group: Hong Kong-headquartered independent ship manager and crewing provider managing ~700 vessels and 24,000+ seafarers. Direct peer to Ceyline Shipping/CMA Ships Lanka on crew management scale and service model.
• GAC Group: UAE-headquartered global shipping, logistics, and marine services group with port agency, crewing, and freight forwarding. Direct peer to Ceyline's ship agency, husbandry, and freight forwarding businesses across emerging and established ports.
• Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement: Germany-based ship management group operating across crewing, ship management, and maritime services. Direct peer to Ceyline's marine cluster, particularly for multi-line principal relationships and integrated crew/agency services.

Regional players

• Wan Hai Lines: Taiwan-based container liner operating intra-Asia and India-Middle East services, frequently calling South Asian ports including Colombo. Regional peer as a Ceyline Shipping/agency customer within the same trade lanes.
• Mackinnon Mackenzie & Company of Sri Lanka: Historic Sri Lankan shipping agency, freight forwarding, and logistics group dating to the 19th century. Local peer competing with Ceyline Agencies, Ceyline Maritime Services, and Cargoserv for port call and freight business in Sri Lanka.

Broad incumbents

• Wilhelmsen: Norwegian-headquartered global maritime services group offering ship agency, crewing, logistics, and ship management across 2,000+ ports. Comparable to Ceyline's diversified marine offering but at vastly larger scale and geographic reach.

Others

• Sinotrans Limited: China-headquartered logistics conglomerate and existing Ceyline partner (Cargoserv is a Sinotrans network member per source). Network partner and adjacent logistics peer for freight forwarding benchmarking.

Emerging players

• Tolani Group: India-headquartered maritime group combining shipping, crew management, and maritime education (Tolani Maritime Institute). Closest regional analogue to Ceyline's integrated marine+education model in the Indian Ocean rim.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ceyline Group