SLPA commissions oil tank
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has taken immediate steps to
construct another new oil storage tank with the capacity of 5,200 metric
tons at its Bloemendhal oil terminal premises to enhance the storage
capacity.
The premises which had been privatized in 2002 were restored to SLPA
following the Supreme Court Judgment in 2008. SLPA at the custom’s
approved took steps accordingly, to store petroleum products imported by
bunker licence holders. Eleven bunker license holders are currently
registered with the SLPA for the purpose of applying bunkers to the
ocean going vessels.
When the SLPA took over the oil terminal in September 2008, there had
been twelve tanks with a storage capacity of 29,500 metric tons.
With the commissioning of the new tank, the total storage capacity at
the facility has been raised up to 35,000 metric tons. A decision has
also been made by the SLPA to construct another storage tank with 10,000
metric tons capacity to enhance the total capacity up to 45,000 metric
tons. A new boiler is also being installed to maintain higher
efficiency.
A hundred and fifty million rupees project to replace the existing
pipe line to transfer petroleum products from the Colombo Port to the
oil terminal owned by the SLPA and vise-versa will be commenced shortly
and the entire project will be funded by the SLPA. The infrastructure
development project undertaken by the SLPA will assist in promoting Sri
Lanka as an effective and efficient maritime hub in the region. |