Archives

By Channa Kasturisinghe

A high powered delegation of Port Autonome De Marseille (PAM), the leading port in France and the Mediterranean is due to arrive in Sri Lanka shortly to finalise a feasibility study agreement with the Government to develop the Hambantota Port, a Co-ordinator for PAM told the Daily News yesterday.

This follows the recent Cabinet announcement that it will allow two foreign companies from France and Canada to carry out a feasibility study on the proposed Hambantota Port.

A delegation headed by Philippe Durand, the Area Manager of PMA for Mid-East, India and Pakistan who visited Hambantota Port late last year had recommended that it was the ideal location for the South Asian hub port and PAM was willing to undertake the feasibility studies.

"The delegation was highly impressed with the location of the site, with a natural depth of 25 metres which is ideal for larger vessels, bypassing the Colombo Port. Hambantota is in the East-West traffic between Europe and Asia and about 36,000 vessels pass through this route annually, the PAM co-ordinator said.

The PAM consists of a team of experts having significant experience spanning the five continents undertaking over 250 assignments in the last 25 years. They include feasibility studies, construction and development of ports (maritime and land), harbour economy, harbour town planning, organisation and management, new information and communication technology for port management, safety at sea, environmental protection and training and management.

With a strong presence in the world and considerable experience in the fields of co-operation with many ports of the countries with which they have `sister-ship agreements' PAM's involvement would enable Sri Lanka to have strong links with these countries.

Any study undertaken by PAM will have the full backing of the French Government and the European Union. It will make funding a lot easier through international funding agencies. The all round ability and expertise that no other port developer could match is a great asset to Sri Lanka, the co-ordinator said.

PAM has a tremendous advantage as they have recently developed the Port of Foss. "Hambantota Port could be the smaller scale version of the Port of Foss" Mr. Durand said on his last visit to Sri Lanka.

PAM is in consortium, for this project, with SETEC Group, one of the largest civil engineering companies in Europe, which has been involved with projects such as the Euro Tunnel linking France and UK, bridge between Sweden and Denmark, Abu Dhabi Airport, and the Peiking Opera House. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager