Mega project to extend Jaya Container Terminal
 

BY BHARATHA Malawaraarachchi

THE Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) for the first time in its history has taken a challenge to carry out Detailed Design and Project Management of a mega project to extend the Jaya Container Terminal southward by 120m, utilising in-house expertise.

"This proposal was made in view of the urgency for capacity enhancement to accommodate mega container carriers now in operation and due to be added to the existing fleet of the shipping lines during the next year or so," an SLPA spokesman told the Daily News.

The project is implemented on the instructions of Port and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera. SLPA Chairman Dileepa Wijesundara who is leading the project is also an experienced civil engineer by profession having considerable experience in offshore projects in many countries.

According to the spokesman, the SLPA having realised the necessity for capacity enhancement in the existing Port of Colombo to accommodate mega container carriers until the Colombo South Harbour is completed initiated action for the extension of JCT IV berth at Jaya Container Terminal.

"This is another major step towards Sri Lanka Ports Authority's policy for enhancement and improvement of efficiency and productivity of port services to take place on a priority basis to retain hub-status of the Port of Colombo in the South Asian region," he added.

A project office has been established assigning a team of experts to carry out the task to fast-track the project implementation.

Accordingly, Detailed Design & Bid documents will be completed within four months and the calling for pre-qualification to shortlist the contractors will be done in two months. The construction works could take off the ground from January 2006.

The task undertaken by SLPA in-house experts would cost in the region of Rs. 120 million if SLPA out-sourced this task to a foreign consultant, the spokesman added.