Sri Lanka to develop warehouse facilities, fuel storage tanks and a docking bay at the Colombo Port
The government of Sri Lanka is looking at new warehouse facilities, fuel storage tanks and a docking bay among measures taken to promote the country’s Colombo Port as a transshipment hub.
The President’s Media Division (PMD) has stated that Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has expressed his intention at a discussion with officials recently to develop the country’s main ports to attract some of the larger cargo vessels of the world, each with a capacity of 24,000 containers.
The government is also looking to upgrade reshipment handling capacity, “offering warehouse facilities and container terminals as well as supply facilities of international standards,” the statement has noted.
Constructing new warehouse facilities in Ratmalana, Peliyagoda and Veyangoda to promote Colombo Port as a transshipment hub was also discussed, in addition to fuel storage tanks to supply fuel to vessels.
The President has also authorised the construction of a docking bay in Beruwala to facilitate the launch of large boats into the sea, the President’s media office has stated.
“It is necessary to expand manufacturing, repairs and maintenance of ships and boats targeting the global market. The expansion of facilities to exchange naval staff centering main ports is also important,” the statement has quoted Rajapaksa as saying.
The discussion was attended by Sri Lanka’s Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, State Minister Jayantha Samaraweera, Head of the Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival Basil Rajapaksa and industry representatives, the release added.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean has placed Sri Lanka in the best position to become a maritime hub in the South Asian region. The prominence placed on Sri Lanka in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has also upped the country’s potential of becoming a business/trade/investment hub in the South Asian region. The government of Sri Lanka is looking at further developing the country’s main port – Colombo Port – to position the island as a maritime hub in the region. Foreign businesses/investors exploring opportunities in the South Asian region could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s maritime sector as well as other key economic sectors. Foreign businesses could also explore opportunities in Sri Lanka’s programme to develop the Colombo Port.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20200922/Z_4 |