Colombo Dockyard delivers two pilot launches built for SLPA

From left: SLPA Harbour Master Capt. Nirmal Silva, SLPA Chairman Gen. R.M. Daya Ratnayake, Roads and Highways and Ports and Shipping Minister Johnston Fernando, State Minister of Ports and Shipping Kanaka Herath, State Ministry of Ports and Shipping Secretary M.P.V.P. Piyathilake, and Ministry of Roads and Highways and Ports and Shipping Secretary M.M.P.K. Mayadunne

The pilot launches delivered yesterday

Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) yesterday delivered two pilot launches as per an agreement signed with Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) on 1 February. 

This ceremony was graced by Roads and Highways and Ports and Shipping Minister Johnston Fernando, State Minister of Ports and Shipping Kanaka Herath, Ministry of Roads and Highways and Ports and Shipping Secretary M.M.P.K. Mayadunne, State Ministry of Ports and Shipping Secretary M.P.V.P. Piyathilake, SLPA Chairman Gen. R.M. Daya Ratnayake, SLPA Managing Director Capt. Athula Hewavitharana, SLPA Harbour Master Capt. Nirmal Silva, Senior Surveyor Class LR Jagath Kumara and several other distinguished guests from SLPA. 

CDPLC Chairman H. Tanaka, CDPLC MD/CEO D.V. Abeysinghe, CDPLC Director K. Kanaya, CDPLC Technical Advisor Yusihiro Saki and a host of other senior management and staff representing Colombo Dockyard participated at this momentous occasion. 

These pilot launches were designed by MACDUFF Ship Design Ltd. of Scotland and these pilot launches 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 of 22 knots.

These pilot launches are designed to hold a high degree of stability and comfort in all weather conditions and these pilot launches will provide a stable platform during embarking and disembarking Pilots. These pilot launches are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and equipment developed for this type of launches worldwide, which are of proven type with high dependability, durability and suitability for the intended purpose.

CDPLC operates in joint collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Company Ltd. of Japan who owns a stake of 51% at Colombo Dockyard, while Sri Lankan Government institutions have a 35% shareholding at Colombo Dockyard.

As a local venture, CDPLC generate large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities and currently employees over 3,000 Sri Lankan engineers and technicians and assist in developing the skills and technical knowhow of the local workmen and help save on valuable foreign exchange.

As one of the leaders of the Shipbuilding Industry in Sri Lanka, CDPLC continuously proves its excellence by successfully securing shipbuilding projects both local and overseas (“In our odyssey of excellence”).

Colombo Dockyard is the front runner of Sri Lankan industrialisation.