Sri Lankan government in the process of expanding key terminal in Colombo Port
Ports, Shipping and Southern Development Minister of Sri Lanka Sagala Ratnayaka has reportedly stated that the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) was in the process of purchasing three Ship to Shore (STS) cranes in view of the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) 5 expansion programme.
“I am glad to announce that the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), upon Cabinet approval, is now in the process of purchasing three STS cranes for the JCT 5 expansion. The $ 25 million investment has been approved by a Cabinet-appointed procurement committee,” Ratnayaka has stated in a twitter message.
“This is the first step in a rapid, accelerated expansion program to cater to the growing demand from our customers. We will continue to listen and improve as required by market conditions,” the Minister has added.
The Sri Lankan government had last year decided to expand JCT 5 with a wider quay and modern equipment, at an investment of US$ 70 million.
“This will allow two 360 metre vessels to berth at the Colombo Port at the same time. The Cabinet approval for the purchase was given last week that the SLPA will buy the cranes from a Chinese supplier, selected according to the Cabinet-approved procurement process,” Ratnayaka has explained.
According to the Minister, the new infrastructure development drive would project Colombo as a more competitive port in the region and support its global ranking.
OSL take:
The government of Sri Lanka with the aim of making the country a hub in the Indian ocean region is in the process of developing the country’s maritime sector. As a result, there are many investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s maritime sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/16042019/Z_1 |