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Discussions with China Merchant Holdings and Aitken
Spence:
SLPA to finalize BOT deal
Charumini de Silva
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) had a three day discussion on the
Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) deal for the first container terminal
of the new Colombo South Harbour with China Merchant Holdings and Aitken
Spence PLC.
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Capt. Nihal Keppetipola |
It is expected to finalize the agreement within this week and the new
terminal of the Colombo South Harbour is projected to complete its
construction by the end of April, SLPA Managing Director, Capt. Nihal
Keppetipola told Daily News Business.
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Container handling at Colombo Port. Picture by Saliya Rupasinghe
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He said the new terminal is built with an investment of over US$ 400
million with a capacity of 2.4 million TEUs per day.
The new terminal with super post-paramax will cater to the 18 meter
draughts, which are considered the biggest container vessels.
“The Colombo South Harbour will be a mega hub port in South Asia,
which will be a threat to the other ports in the region such as the
Cochin harbour.
Colombo Port is located in a strategic geographical position and has
the advantage of being in the main East – West shipping routes. With the
opening of the new terminal it will generate earnings, loyalty, rent and
dividends to the SLPA”, Keppetipola said.
The Managing Director said there is an outstanding increase of over
15 percent in TEUs handling during the first two months of 2010,
compared to previous year. The opening of the new Colombo South Harbour
would increase their income and profits.
The SLPA intends to attract more shipping lines this year as they
attracted Maersk and APL last year. The Colombo Port handles over 10,000
operations per day, where it contributes immensely to the country’s
economy and with the expansion project the throughput of the Port will
increase further by over 2.4 million, he said.
Keppetipola said, with the introduction of the automated terminal
management system, last year the throughput and the vessel turnaround
increased rapidly. The SLPA expects to buy new equipment this year to
increase the productivity of the Colombo Port. |
