Colombo port’s July opening in time for mega vessels
View(s):By Sunimalee Dias
Sri Lanka’s plans for the Colombo port’s opening in July of another terminal would be in time with the arrival of the world’s large triple E ships set to sail on the high seas, a shipping expert said at a ports and shipping conference last Thursday. The second Sri Lanka Ports, Trade and Logistics Conference and Exhibition organized by Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Seatrade Communications UK played host to a strategic event for high level domestic, regional and international executives to interact and build business relationships and partnerships in the region.
Seatrade Communications Chairman Chris Hayman addressing the conference delegates said that in July when the Colombo port expansion phase opens up to the world it would be able to accommodate the world’s largest ships.
And in this regard, he highlighted that the triple E ships would also be ready by then. These ships, the biggest of their kind, can carry up to 18,000 containers, it was reported.
Daewoo Shipbuilding built the triple-E class vessels for Maesk Line, the wholly-owned container-shipping unit of the Danish conglomerate. Maersk Line has ordered 20 triple-E ships, with the first due for delivery in the middle of this year and China Shipping Container Lines plans to order five triple-E container ships, news reports state.
He identified new trade to operate from the emerging economies of the world highlighting that the Eurozone’s countries were already in recession and winds of change were chartering a new course.
Mr. Hayman observed that new and intra-regional trades and South- South trade were more evident shifting focus from the trans-Pacific.
In this respect, he noted that the arrival of new mega vessels could be deployed for these new trade routes and it would also initiate a “cascade effect.”
Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa speaking on the opening day noted the country’s progress in terms of achieving a hub status in the ports sector amidst rapid development.
He said the Magampura port was capable of servicing vessels sailing around the island and that Galle would be used to handle cargo and transshipment with Trincomalee eyeing increased investment to the East coast and Oluvil set to create facilities for vessels in the south-east and meet the needs of the north.
During the Ministerial session Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha recalled the key political stability factor vital for development of a country.
The conference held a day after May Day, the minister noted that while world over it was marked as a workers’ day here in Colombo it reflected the strength of the political parties and the trade unions with a majority of people in appreciation of the government.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama addressing delegates spoke of the advancements in Intra Asia Trade and noted that they were keen to develop infrastructure facilities in the port sector with mega ports with 15-25 metre depths.
He noted that Sri Lanka could be the catalyst for South Asia by combining the commodity movement from the Middle East and other continents including East Asia, East Africa and Oceania among others.
Dr. Wickrama said construction work of the first berth of the South Terminal which is 400 metres in length is nearing completion and would be operational within the next few months.The SLPA would be calling for offers from the port and terminal developers for the construction and operation of the West terminal of the Colombo Port Expansion Project, he said.
| Signs and predictions at ports, shipping confab
The international conference on ports and shipping was held for the second consecutive year in Colombo and certainly did not miss out on a few happenings. The lights went out soon after the inaugural session concluded and soon after everyone was invited for a tea break in the foyer at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo. This caused a bit of a stir among delegates who were already making their way out of the hall, but the lights were back after a brief spell of darkness. During the morning session the SLPA Chairman Dr. Wickrama kicked off his speech by commending the work of the President for ending the 30-year conflict. “Astrologers predicted a saviour is born,” to help the country come out of its problems referring to the President as “Sri Lanka’s greatest ever leader and saviour.” The President’s son MP Namal Rajapaksa who delivered the Presidential address was seen speaking at the specially assigned podium with the tele-prompters at the conference. Other dignitaries spoke from another dais. |
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