Magampura ready

Port eyeing global shipping lines:

Harshini PERERA

Dr Priyath B Wickrama

The Magampura Port constructions

The Magampura Port is negotiating with several international shipping lines to attract more vessels. Four shipping lines have already shown interest in obtaining the services of the port.

“Three international vessels will be handled as industrial general cargo at the Magampura port before the end of this year,” Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Dr Priyath B Wickrama told Daily News Business. “The Government can bring in more vessels to the portbut the private sector including all the Chambers and Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council should provide assistance to promote the harbour,” he said.

Six ships including a passenger, cargo and sailing vessel will be harboured at the Magampura port initially.

Three other vessels will also harbour later today to mark the commencement of the port.

This will be a tax free port operated under the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Services such as industrial value addition, bulk storage, warehousing, cement and fertilizer storage, bunkering, water supplying, crew changing and ship repairing will be provided.

The Magampura port will provide 1,000 employment opportunities within the first six months of its first phase. Another 6,000 direct and 50,000 indirect employment opportunities will be provided within three years time.