Sri Lanka Port Authority


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Colombo port achieves another first

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The Port of Colombo is scheduled to be the first Port in the Indian sub-continent region to comply with the United States Customs Security Initiative (US-CSI). The latest available information reveals that the Sri Lanka Customs is in the process of receiving an X-Ray unit from the United States Customs for the prupose of implementation of the CSI.

Currently the Sri Lanka Customs are at the stage of entering into an MoU with the US Customs to receive this equipment. It is expected that the X-Ray equipment will be in place by September 2005.

Under this proejct US Customs officials will be stationed in the Port of Colombo. They will pre-screen all export and selected Transhipment containers bound for the United States. These inspections will be on an automated targeting system based on intelligence and risk-assessment basis, conducted jointly by the US and SL Cutoms. This initiative by the Sri Lanka Customs together with the Port of Colombo will add greater value to the status of Colombo as a major hub Port in the region.

The Port of Colombo has taken anothr major step forward by being the first Port in the Indian sub-continent region to take part in the Mega Port initiative of the National Nuclear Security Administration of the United States government.

With the signing of the necessary agreements, the United States government would provide all the required scanning equipment to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The scanning equipment will be installed at the port entry/exit gates as well as both the SAGT and JCT container terminals.

These inspections would further boost the faster clearance of goods arriving in the Ports of the United States. Thus providing the opportunity to further enhance US bound cargo volumes from the region, via the Port of Colombo.

SAGT had a another successful year by achieving a total throughput of 899,720 teus within the year 2004. This volume reflected as remarkable 44% growth for SAGT when compared with volumes achieved in the year 2003.

SAGT was not alone in celebrating a successful closure to the year 2004. The entire Port of Colombo enjoyed a successful year by achieving the highest ever volume of over 2.2 M teus. This reflects a growth of 13%. This growth includes a 14% growth in Transhipment volumes and a 17% growth in Domestic volumes.

The latest Tsunami warning which came on the 29th of March saw SAGT rolling out their emergency procedures which proved very successful. All staff were evacuated from the yard to the 5th floor of the administration building and all cranes and equipment were safely anchored. Normal operations commenced immediately upon receiving clearance from the state agencies.

Coscon vessels will come to Colombo

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The first vessel of Coscon Shipping, one of the largest shipping lines in China will arrive at Colombo Port in July following an agreement signed with Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

Chief Representative in Sri Lanka of China Ocean Shipping (group) Company a subsidiary of Coscon Shipping, Xu Zhi Bin said yesterday at the occasion of signing the agreement that the shipping line decided to come to Colombo port since it is a feeder hub in the region and has very good infrastructure facilities.

"Colombo Port's productivity too has improved and it is also located close to the main sea hub," he said. Chairman SLPA Dileepa Wijesundara said that Coscon Shipping's plan to come to Colombo Port shows the confidence the global leading shipping lines have in the Colombo Port. "This is a major plus point for the Colombo Port," he said.

The Chairman also said that the Port is on an upward trend and they are in sight of achieving their targets. "Last April we recorded a 32 percent increased volume and this was a record," he said. The presence of Coscon Shipping, a fast growing Shipping line would further boost volumes of the Colombo Port, he said.

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Three pronged strategy to re-develop Trinco Port

SRI LANKA Ports Authority (SLPA) has decided to re develop South Asia's biggest natural harbour, in Trincomalee. Vice Chairman Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Krishan Deheragoda said this would be one of their priorities.

Trincomalee has been neglected for the past two to three decades and this was the reason for the government to decide to re-develop the harbour. The SLPA has formulated a three pronged strategy for this purpose.

The Trincomalee Port has over 500 acres of land out of which only less than 20 percent has been developed. Some of the land belonging to the Port has been encroached and the SLPA planning to relocate some of the encroached families out side the harbour area.

Dr. Deheragoda said that the available land would be developed in three zones. One zone would be for tourism where land would be provided for building of hotels and other leisure activities. "We would be soon calling for expressions of interest (EOA) for this purpose," he said.

The second zone would be for an industrial park. This area would provide space for ware houses, oil tanks and all other port related activities. The third area would be for relocating several families who have encroached land belonging to the SLPA.

Dr. Deheragoda said that they are also planning to separate a special area for high end eco tourism. "What we are planning to do is to leave some of the existing land with thick jungle for this purpose," he said.

The government will also focus on passenger transport operating to and from the Trincomalee Port since the area is a major tourist attraction.

Trincomalee is a natural harbour which is approximately 18 hours sailing from the main lane of international waters. The inner port draft is unlimited and any type of vessels can be accommodated and co-ordinated. Trincomalee, is considered by military experts as one of the best deep sea ports in the world.

It is situated strategically on the sea routes through which oil is carried from the Middle East to East and far-eastern Asia. According to observers, Trincomalee is a "strategic jewel". The Chinese government has already pledged assistance to develop the Hambantota harbour.

ipping line would further boost volumes of the Colombo Port, he said.

Sri Lanka Breaks Ground For US$1.2 Billion Port Expansion
19 December 2006

COLOMBO (Dow Jones)--Sri Lanka has begun a US$1.2 billion project to triple the container-handling capacity of the island's main sea port.

The Colombo port will add four terminals, each with four berths, under the project launched by President Mahinda Rajapakse late Monday.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya said the Asian Development Bank has come forward with a LKR35 billion concessionary funding line to start the first phase.

Construction work is expected to begin in July and be completed within 39 months, Wickramasuriya said during the ground-breaking ceremony Monday.

"This is a long-awaited project, that will boost our business opportunities and enhance the economic development of our country," he said.

Rajapakse said the port capacity would increase to 12 million containers a year from the current 4 million once the project was completed.

Shipping Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the harbor facility would be government-owned but public-private partnerships would provide terminal services.

Colombo Port expansion render..

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Also there is plans for a second port in Hambantota in the south coast. Here is the render for this project..

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