The Colombo Port Expansion Project is expected to ultimately lead to a threefold increase in port capacity under public-private partnerships, taking the capacity to 12m teu.
Under the scheme, each new terminal will be 1,200 metres in length, and have between three and four berths, depending on the operator’s choice of configuration. The first terminal is scheduled to be operational in 2010 and have a nominal capacity of 2.4m teu, with others being brought on-line as the market demands it. Sri Lanka has applied for a loan from the Asian Development Bank towards the cost of the project, estimated at $1.2bn. Sealed bids have been invited for the construction and completion of harbour infrastructure works including 16m m3 of dredging, 14m m3 of reclamation and two breakwaters of 5km and 1km length.
