The Sri Lankan government has asked for foreign investors to operate two new port terminals in a bid to promote the country's growing maritime industry.
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.
A statement by the government explained that ships could 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.
State-owned Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) will retain 51% ownership of the joint venture, the statement said.
The proposed Colombo South harbour is situated west of the existing port of Colombo, comprising an area of approximately 600 hectares. The proposed harbour has three terminals, each of which are 1,200 metres long and facilities to accommodate three berths alongside. The proposed small boat harbour at the end of secondary breakwater has 400 metres of quay wall. New buildings for pilot station and crew accommodation are to be constructed at the head of secondary breakwater.
The first stage of the terminal is nearing completion.