Nimal points to 35 million TEU capacity in future at Colombo Port from 8.5 m at present

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripal de Silva last week revealed the goal of boosting the capacity at the Colombo port to 35 million TEUs in the future from 8.5 million TEUs as present. 

He made this revelation at the ceremony to commence work on the operations building at the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). 

The 1300-metre terminal will be built at a cost of $ 580 million by the SLPA. The gantry cranes required for operations at the terminal have already been ordered. The construction of the four-story main operations building at the terminal will cost Rs. 1300 million and is planned to be completed by February next year.

Minister stated that the 8.5 million current TEU handling capacity at the Port of Colombo (POC) will be increased to 35 million TEU handling capacity with the completion of ECT, Jaya Container Terminal V (JCT-V),  Western International Container Terminal (WICT), and the proposed North Port Projects in the future.

“It is my wish that the SLPA officials, employees, and trade union representatives should contribute and help carry out the construction work of the ECT according to a proper and accurate timeline,” the Minister said. He emphasised that the operations of the ECT should be carried out with semi-automation and with a minimum number of employees recruited for its operations.

“These opportunities should be made available to the skilled youth of this country.  They should have the potential to achieve maximum productivity through elevated efficiency in the operational process, especially by utilising the most advanced technologies for port and terminal operations. For this reason, everyone should well-identify the latest trends in the global commercial shipping industry, which runs in a very lucrative yet highly competitive business environment,” Minister de Silva added. Ministry’s Additional Secretary (Development) Kumari Somarathna, SLPA Chairman Keith D. Bernard, Vice Chairman Gayan Algewattage, Managing Director Prabath J. Malavige, Additional Managing Directors, Directors, a number of Heads of Divisions, Executive Officers, staffs, employees, and Trade Union Representatives also attended the occasion.