Three-year development plan for port sector
The new chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Dr. Priyath
B. Wickrama, last week declared a three-year (2009-2011) development
plan for the port sector.
The objective of the new development plan is to face the challenges
faced by the SLPA at present. Dr.Wickrama said that the SLPA had never
faced this kind of challenges in its history.
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Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama |
The changes taking place in the shipping industry, development of
rival ports within the region and global financial crisis are the key
challenges that the SLPA faces today. Understanding the threats and
adjusting ourselves to face the challenges successfully is our bounden
duty, Dr. Wickrama said.
The plan covers seven aspects: - infrastructure development of all
ports; efficiency improvement of cargo operations; aggressive marketing
plan for each port; enhancement of customer care; control of waste and
optimum; utilisation of resources; uplift of the quality of life of
employees and introduction of new HRD procedures and control of
finances.
The new plan includes massive development programs covering Colombo,
Galle, Trincomalee, Kankesanthurai Point Pedro, Hambantota and the
Oluvil ports.
Under the Colombo port expansion project, it is expected to complete
construction of breakwater and dredging works, re-routing of crude oil
pipelines and commissioning the South container terminal.
The completion of the detailed design and commencement of the
construction of the South harbour are also in the three-year plan.
The SLPA will move to its new head office building with all
administrative staff by demolishing all unwanted buildings and releasing
the lands occupied for this purpose for cargo operations. The internal
roads of the Colombo Port will be widened and a new six-lane road will
be commissioned.
The rail track will be relayed extending up to the new South
terminal.
Purchase of new equipment including gantry cranes, transfer cranes
and yard tractors, commissioning of terminal management system,
effective utilisation of port lands and reduction of traffic congestion
outside the port are included in the new development plan.
Construction of yacht marina, construction of a cruise terminal and
construction of internal roads in the Port are in the three- year
development plan of the Galle port.
Effective utilisation of the Ashraff Jetty, providing facilities to
commence port related industries by setting up an industrial zone and
commencement of ship repair facilities are covered in the Trincomalee
port development plan.
Phase I of the Hambantota port will be commissioned during the
period. The construction work to be completed includes construction of
two breakwaters, construction of a 600m cargo quay wall, construction of
a 310 m long oil/gas quay wall and construction of yards and buildings.
Construction of bunkering facilities and an internal road network,
administrative building are also in the three-year development plan.
GW |
