Fresh bidder for Colombo South Port expansion
Hiran H.Senewiratne
The Colombo South Port expansion project is on track and will call
for fresh proposals for the construction of the breakwater system in
July, the Chairman of the Ports Authority Saliya Wickramsuriya said.
He said that earlier many local and foreign companies applied for the
construction of the breakwater system. It was cancelled due to the
inability of meeting the reqirements of the Ports Authority.
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Wickramsuriya |
The government had selected the bidder in last September but has
still not materialised despite numerous assurances.
Therefore, they will call fresh proposals during the next few months,
Wickramasuriya said.
Meanwhile the ADB loan for the breakwater is being held up, as it is
conditional on the award of the container terminal contract.
However they look for suitable bidder/contractor to construct the
breakwater system, he said. The Ports Authority Chairman also said that
the Colombo South Port, urgently required expanding the capacity to meet
surging cargo volumes, was given the priority it deserves.
Even though there may be doubts that the South Port is not moving
fast enough, the government wants to develop both ports, Port sources
said.
According to Ports Authority sources that growth in world trade and
the increasing size of container vessels meant Colombo, with its ideal
location near the main East-West shipping route, has the potential to
emerge as a 'mega-hub' port.
With the ports of Hong Kong serving the Far East, Singapore the Near
East and Dubai the Middle East, there was a "yawning gap" in south Asia,
told a forum on Colombo's potential to become a hub for the region. Sri
Lanka is well placed and India does not have the geographical advantage
as Sri Lanka. |
