Colombo Port plans to scale-up capacity

Colombo: The Colombo Port is expected to increase capacity by 2.4 million tons before 2011 through the creation of a cargo village while there are few delays in reaching this objective.

Addressing the gathering at the forum organized by the Company of Master Mariners with the support of the Nautical Institute yesterday Justice Minister Dilan Perera noted that while the Colombo container port is on track there were delays. He noted that even though there may be doubts that the Southern port project is not moving fast enough, the government wanted to develop both ports.

The minister noted that in view of the growth in world trade Colombo could become a potential to emerge as a “mega hub” port. Commenting on the ports of Hong Kong serving the Far East, Singapore the Near East and Dubai the Middle East, he pointed out that there was a “yawning gap” in South Asia.

In this respect he placed Sri Lanka on a pedestal by stating, that “Sri Lanka is well placed and India does not have the locational advantage.” “The Colombo Port has decided to shift all logistics out of the Port by creating the cargo village and as a result this facility would benefit the customer by increased containers throughput and an efficient clearing process” Additional Managing Director, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Captain Nihal Keppetipola said.

He said that the SLPA has spent US $1billion for the development of the Colombo Port during the past 5 to 6 years and which is currently growing at about 15% in Colombo. In addition, it was pointed out that the Colombo Port holds 29th place among the other Ports in the world.

Regional Account Manager, Middle East, India and Africa Navis International, LLC Dubai Internet City Ziad Banna emphasized the gathering on Real time visibility of Port Performance to operators and Customers. Ziad said Real time Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) provides visibility, operational control, and optimization for assets, cargo and inventory.

Capt. Keppetipola noted that they have integrated many container security systems and those have increased the effectiveness of container throughput, reduced gate data capture labor, optimized yard dispatch and shorter wait times and turn times.