Colombo Dockyard operations return to ‘new normal’ levels

Vessel undergoing repairs in drydock during the lockdown period 

Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDL) said it had started repairs on two bulk carriers successfully (17 May), managing to clear the mandatory health clearances smoothly, with no berthing delays (waiting for quarantine, etc.) on the arrival schedule of the vessels. 

The vessels were berthed on arrival. This has been possible on account of the professional guidance given by the Port Health Officials and the Harbour Master. 

The shipyard operations have stepped up to planned ‘new normal’ operational levels, under the in-house campaign titled ‘Revival’ under the visionary leadership of Chairman Hideki Tanaka, Managing Director D. V. Abeysinghe, and Chief Operating Officer Benny Fernando. 

“We focus on organising the work of our shipyard team and subcontractors in such a way that it is carried out in the safest possible way, in keeping in line with the Government COVID-19 Taskforce guidelines,” CDL said.  The shipyard operates jointly in collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd., Japan since 1993, providing the best Japanese-Sri Lankan expertise and the location and economic convenience of Colombo. CDL said the shipyard is ready to serve the emerging needs of the market in the post-COVID-19 era. 

It also said that global pandemic conditions bring out the best in innovative shipyard strategies to counter difficult times. Since its establishment in 1974 – marking its 46th anniversary in 2020 – Colombo Dockyard has witnessed recessions, boom times and natural disasters amongst which this COVID-19 pandemic driven lockdown situation is unique and unprecedented, which requires innovative and smart approaches to counter these challenges successfully. CDL said the Government’s aggressive drive to combat the COVID-19 pandemic from mid-march has been effective, paving the way for relaxing the lockdown on 11 May. The Government-appointed COVID-19 Taskforce had declared all port-related activities as essential services, thus giving the shipyard the green light to continue its operations under its guidelines. Over the lockdown period, the shipyard has been operating at 20-30% capacity, providing essential repair services, completing the vessels undergoing repairs in the yard, meeting the client’s requirements safely. 

In solidarity of the efforts, Colombo Dockyard actively contributed Rs. 5 million to the National COVID-19 Fund.