Joint venture partners are invited to operate the East Container Terminal of the New Colombo South Harbour as a joint venture with a shipping company or a private terminal operator, and to operate a ro-ro berth at southern Hambantota, where vehicle transhipment is growing fast.
“Ships can easily reach East African countries and Western Australia directly from the Hambantota Port which is situated between Singapore and Dubai that are two key vehicle reshipping centres close to Sri Lanka,” a Government statement said.
State-owned Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) will retain 51% ownership of the joint venture, the statement said. The first stage of the terminal is nearing completion.
The proposed Colombo South Harbour is situated west to the existing port of Colombo comprising an area of approximately 600 hectares. The proposed harbour has three terminals each having 1,200m length and facilities to accommodate three berths alongside. The proposed small boat harbour at the end of secondary breakwater has 400m length of quay wall. New buildings for pilot station and crew accommodation are to be constructed at the head of secondary breakwater.
