Monday May 04, 2026
Monday May 04, 2026
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| Westport Marine Managing Director Kalinga De Silva | Menzell Doehle Group Business Development Director Angelo Cachia | Menzell Doehle Lanka CEO Patali Karunarathne |
The Hamburg-based Menzell Doehle Group has announced the acquisition of a 40% stake in Colombo’s Westport Marine Ltd., marking a significant development in Sri Lanka’s port agency sector.
Following the investment, the company will be rebranded as Menzell Doehle Lanka, aligning its operations with the Group’s global standards and extending its reach across a network spanning 110 countries.
The move builds on a long-standing relationship between the two entities and reflects growing confidence in Sri Lanka’s maritime potential. This partnership is expected to strengthen service delivery while positioning Colombo as a more competitive regional hub.
Westport Marine’s Managing Director Kalinga De Silva, described the development as a natural progression of a partnership that has evolved over the past decade.
Collaboration between the two firms dates back to 2015, with further expansion in 2024 through the establishment of Doehle Marine Lanka to support marine human resource operations for a growing global fleet.
From a strategic standpoint, the investment underscores Menzell Doehle’s ambition to build a highly accessible and integrated global port agency network.
Group Business Development Director Angelo Cachia noted that Westport Marine’s local expertise and service-driven approach made it an ideal partner as the Group expands its footprint in South Asia.
Under the new structure, Patali Karunarathne will lead operations as Chief Executive Officer of Menzell Doehle Lanka. The company is expected to enhance husbandry services across Sri Lanka, leveraging both local knowledge and international capabilities. In recent months, Westport Marine has already expanded its service portfolio, including acting as a local P&I correspondent and securing vendor approvals within the country.
Industry observers say the partnership could deliver wide-ranging benefits, including more streamlined port operations, improved vessel support services, and increased access to advanced maritime technologies. The investment is also anticipated to contribute to economic activity through job creation and increased foreign participation in Sri Lanka’s maritime sector.
With the rebranding now in effect, Menzell Doehle Lanka said it is poised to set new benchmarks in efficiency and reliability, reinforcing Colombo’s role in global shipping networks while supporting the continued growth of the island’s maritime industry.
