The long-awaited Port Community System is now coming to fruition. With the assistance of World Bank experts, the tender process has been launched, and the government is selecting the most suitable investor and hopes to establish the Port Community System at the Port of Colombo within six months, with the cooperation of customs, immigration, and health authorities.
This was disclosed by the Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva at the Shipping Agents (CASA) AGM, at the Taj Samudra, Colombo.
“Currently, we have overcome many difficulties and challenges and are on a strong path. In this environment, we need to make our ports more attractive to shipping lines, generate more business, become more efficient, embrace new technology, increase automation, and utilize systems such as the Port Community System to promote a paperless port. This will expedite our mission,” he said.
“The East Container Terminal at the Port of Colombo will soon be completed. Several new Ship-to-Shore Cranes have been commissioned, with another 10 arriving in 3 to 4 weeks. We will enhance capacity at the Port of Colombo with this new terminal and the Colombo West International Container Terminal, built with the Adani Group in a joint venture with Sri Lanka. I am monitoring the progress of these projects monthly. Our goal is to establish Sri Lanka as the maritime hub of the region. We aim to ensure that our ports achieve zero emissions in about 10 years. We will transition from fossil fuels to hydrogen, ammonia and other environmentally friendly energy sources to become a green port.
“To make our country a maritime hub, we need more seafarers. I am thankful to private sector organizations that have established universities and schools for maritime education. We have an ambitious program for the Port of Trincomalee, having already allocated 600 acres of port land to the BOI to attract investment in the maritime sector, including bunkering and shipbreaking.”
I am also thankful to the Government of India for granting USD 69 million for breakwater construction and dredging at the Port of Kankesanthurai, enabling larger vessels to call at the port. For the development of the Port of Galle, we have called for Expressions of Interest, receiving proposals from over nine parties. This is a positive sign of our progress toward becoming a maritime nation. Galle is crucial to attract more passenger ships and service vessels sailing near our ports.”
Minister De Silva added that the government has implemented the Colombo North Port Development Project, allowing for four additional terminals.
“We will work collaboratively with Public-Private Partnerships, offering more opportunities for private sector investment, leading to rapid development in the port sector and transhipment business,” he noted.
