June 20, 2008 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka Ports Authority has called for bids to build a new port in southern Galle, next to the existing harbour, an official said.
The project aims to expand the current port's capacity to meet future demand with a new breakwater, harbour basin with a deeper draft and multi-purpose terminal to handle bigger vessels.
The project is funded by a 14.5 million yen (about 13.8 billion rupees) Official Development Assistance loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
Bids, which are open to only Japanese firms
, will be opened on July 3, a senior Sri Lanka Ports Authority official said.
The work involves building the breakwater and multipurpose terminal, dredging the approach channel and turning basin for ships, and installing navigation aids and other equipment.
The JBIC loan is repayable in 30 years, inclusive of a grace period of 10 years and carries an interest rate of 0.3 percent a year.
The expansion of Galle harbour is expected to reduce waiting time of vessels and improve its berth occupancy ratio.
SLPA officials said the aim is to develop Galle to handle conventional cargo which are now handled in Colombo port as well as cargo for the local industries in the southern region.
The main commodity handled by the existing Galle harbour is cement.
In the project's second phase, a large leisure component will be introduced with a marina for pleasure craft and a passenger terminal.
Galle is already a port of call for yachts.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority is also expected to call for fresh bids to develop a container terminal in Colombo by July.
The project aims to expand the current port's capacity to meet future demand with a new breakwater, harbour basin with a deeper draft and multi-purpose terminal to handle bigger vessels.
The project is funded by a 14.5 million yen (about 13.8 billion rupees) Official Development Assistance loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
Bids, which are open to only Japanese firms
, will be opened on July 3, a senior Sri Lanka Ports Authority official said.The work involves building the breakwater and multipurpose terminal, dredging the approach channel and turning basin for ships, and installing navigation aids and other equipment.
The JBIC loan is repayable in 30 years, inclusive of a grace period of 10 years and carries an interest rate of 0.3 percent a year.
The expansion of Galle harbour is expected to reduce waiting time of vessels and improve its berth occupancy ratio.
SLPA officials said the aim is to develop Galle to handle conventional cargo which are now handled in Colombo port as well as cargo for the local industries in the southern region.
The main commodity handled by the existing Galle harbour is cement.
In the project's second phase, a large leisure component will be introduced with a marina for pleasure craft and a passenger terminal.
Galle is already a port of call for yachts.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority is also expected to call for fresh bids to develop a container terminal in Colombo by July.
