Smooth sailing for Colombo Port expansion project
The Colombo Port Expansion Project (CPEP) launched by the Government
is in progress under the two phases the project was planned.
The project was launched following a very comprehensive study of the
Port of Colombo and to develop the South Port area to cater to the
increasing demands of services in the international shipping industry.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama
during a special inspection tour to the CPEP construction site said the
project would change the economic situation in Sri Lanka as a large
number would invest here while employment opportunities would also be
generated.
Under phase one of the project, Harbour Infrastructure work such as
the construction of the 6.83km length Breakwater and dredging the new
harbour basin and the navigation channel as well as the re-routing of
crude oil pipe line will be accomplished while the construction of
terminals and other related services have been identified under phase
two.
The total estimated cost of construction of harbour Infrastructure
works is US$ 330 million while the first South Container Terminal will
be constructed under BOT terms.
The Asian Development Bank and Sri Lanka Ports Authority jointly
finance the project of infrastructure work. Construction work of the
project officially commenced on April 11, 2008 and is scheduled to be
completed within 48 months.
Meanwhile, the selection of a port operator for the South Container
Terminal is in process and it will also be completed at the completion
of the Harbour Infrastructure works in April 2012.
The construction of the breakwater by placing of core material and
outer protection layers of its first 2100m length has been successfully
completed while the rock transportation by sea from load Out Point
(Small Harbour) at Wadduwa in Kalutara is also successfully continued.
Around 15- 20 barges transport the rock materials to Colombo. The
dredging of the main channel for the use of dredged sand in the core of
the breakwater and in the filling of contractor’s working area is in
progress satisfactorily while more than 13 million Cubic metres have
been completed by now.
The re-laying of the submarine crude oil pipeline commenced in
January 2010 and a nine Km length has also been completed successfully.
This will be completed in April 2010.
The overall progress is assessed at about 22 percent while the
financial proposal for the South Container Terminal of the CPEP has been
opened and an evaluation is in progress. |