Magampura harbour costs to be recovered - Deputy Minister

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The total allocation for the construction of Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Harbour will be recovered within a mere two years through refuelling of a large number of ships passing through this route, said Deputy Ports Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena yesterday.

The Deputy Minister said so, participating in an observation tour of an oil bunkering yard which is being constructed in line with the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Harbour construction project.

According to Ports Ministry data analysis, the total expenditure will easily be recovered within two years, he added.

More than 400 vessels are travelling daily on the international maritime route which is just a few nautical miles away from the harbour and oil bunkering yard. After completing the construction of the oil terminal, many ships travelling on the international maritime route will visit the harbour to obtain its services.

The Government has allocated US $ 76 million for the construction of the oil bunkering yard. Even though it has been scheduled for commissioning on November 10, 2011, this will be possible by April, 2011 since 60 percent of the construction has been completed by now. Under the project, 15 massive storage tanks are being constructed on a 20 Hectare land close to the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Harbour. Marine fuel, aviation fuel and Liquid Petroleum gas will be stored in these tanks.