Australia invests AUD 500,000 in ocean forecast system to improve marine safety in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s marine safety sector has reportedly received an AUD 500,000 investment from Australia to set up an ocean forecast system.
The University of Western Australia will lead the project in partnership with Sri Lanka’s National and Aquatic Research and Development Authority, the Marine Environmental Protection Authority, the Sri Lankan Navy, the Meteorological Department, Disaster Management Centre, Coast Conservation Department, Ocean University of Sri Lanka, University of Ruhuna and Moratuwa University. The programme will be based on an ocean forecasting system used in Western Australia.
According to a media report, the programme is funded through the Australian Government’s Knowledge and Linkages for an Inclusive Economy Grants programme and the ocean forecast system will generate four-day forecasts to support maritime safety for marine industries and operators such as fisheries, maritime transport and defence.
The proposed project has been initiated in response to the MV X-Press Pearl disaster and is expected to help prevent future incidences and improve Sri Lanka’s maritime disaster management systems. With ocean forecasting systems soon to be in place in Australian and Sri Lankan waters, the region’s forecasting capability, cooperation on maritime safety and sharing of knowledge and information will be strengthened.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s maritime industry is a fast growing sector given the country’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean and the many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed by the country. Along with the expansion in the country’s maritime industry, arises the need for the development of facilities and supplementary infrastructure including security and safety systems that are required by the industry to stay on par with the global maritime developments. Given the funding availability for the development of the country’s maritime industry that have been pledged by foreign multilateral donors, foreign businesses/investors could explore the growing business potential in Sri Lanka’s maritime industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/07102022/X_2 |