Colombo Dockyard partners SLPA to supply two...
Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) has successfully entered into a contract with Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to supply two pilot boats.
The contract was signed on February 1, 2019, at SLPA Chairman’s office. SLPA Chairman Kavan Ratnayaka and CDPLC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer D.V. Abeysinghe signed the contract.
SLPA Managing Director Capt. Athula Hewavitharana, SLPA Harbour Master Capt. Nirmal Silva, CDPLC Chairman Dr. Toru Takehara, CDPLC Shipbuilding General Manager Lal Hettiarachchi and management personnel from both organisations participated at this special occasion.
This 19m boat is a proven design developed by MACDUFF Scotland. The boat will serve to transport pilots from shore to ship. It can accommodate a total number of eight persons including four crew members and four pilots and it can achieve a service speed around 22 knots and can operate in all weather conditions prevailing in Sri Lanka, all year round. By building the pilot boats in Sri Lanka, SLPA helps develop the economy of the country by developing the local shipbuilding industry. The local ventures such as CDPLC generate large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities and develop the skills and technical know how of the local workmen and help save on valuable foreign exchange.
CDPLC operates in joint collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Company Ltd of Japan who owns a stake of 51 percent at Colombo Dockyard PLC while Sri Lankan Government institutions have a 35 percent shareholding at Colombo Dockyard.
As the leader of shipbuilding industry in Sri Lanka, CDPLC continuously proves its excellence by successfully securing shipbuilding projects both local and worldwide. Currently, CDPLC is building a 113m cable laying vessel for Japan and a 60m buoy tender vessel and a 50m pilot station vessel for Iraq.
CDPLC is the front runner of Sri Lankan industrialisation and the main contributor to the government’s national export strategy from the shipbuilding sector.