SLPA to hire consultant for East Terminal

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is currently looking at selecting a consultant to carry out a feasibility study on the East Container Terminal (ECT), a top official at the Colombo Port said on Friday.

“We will be calling for a consultant,” to carry out a feasibility study on the joint venture with an international port operator and SLPA for the ECT, SLPA Chairman Dr. Lakdas Panagoda told the Business Times on Friday.

He noted that once the study is carried out on the ECT they would call for bids to select an international port operator to work together with the SLPA on this terminal. The SLPA chief told the AGM of the Import Section of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce last week that cabinet approval had been obtained for the completion of the ECT by SLPA or as a joint venture with an international Terminal Operator with SLPA holding a majority share.

Dr. Panagoda told the Business Times that they were looking at concluding Phase II of the Hambantota Port this year.

He noted that “fairly soon” they would be calling for a third Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the industrial zone of the Hambantota port.

In addition, the tender procedure for the supply of equipment for the ECT has also won cabinet approval. The SLPA would also be in the process of developing and implementing an ISO 9001 Quality Management System at the Jaya Container Terminal to be completed in August this year.

Other plans for the Hambantota port include engaging with international bunker operators to manage and operate its Tank Farm on a Public Private partnership (PPP) basis, and the engagement of an international RO-RO operator on a PPP basis for vehicle transhipment as well.

In addition, they would be looking at converting the Bandaranaike Quay terminal to a fully fledged International Cruise Terminal as well.