The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has signed an agreement with Colombo Dockyard PLC to build two pilot boats for the Port of Colombo enabling it to handle a greater volume of activities with more efficiency, today, 1 February 2019.
The agreement was signed by Mr Kavan Ratnayaka, Chairman of SLPA, on behalf of SLPA, and Mr D.V. Abeysinghe, Managing Director/CEO of Colombo Dockyard PLC, on behalf of the Colombo Dockyard PLC. Established in 1974, Colombo Dockyard PLC is Sri Lanka’s leading ship repair, shipbuilding, heavy engineering and offshore engineering facility.
Honourable Minister of Ports & Shipping and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka recently says that “the two new pilot boats will be faster than other boats in the fleet and will be better equipped to handle modern ships that frequently visit the country’s busiest port.”
“The contractor was selected through a Cabinet approved procurement process. The SLPA will invest USD 3.12 Million in new pilot boards,” the Hon. Minister added while expressing confidence that the Port of Colombo would use the two pilot boats from December 01.
The pilot boat is a vessel that’s specifically used from harbours to ships that need piloting, or vice versa. A pilot boat fulfils a major maritime niche. The Port of Colombo currently has four pilot boats and the fleet was last upgraded in 2007.
Photo caption: From left to right: Captain Nirmal Silva, Harbour Master, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA); Captain Athula Hewavitharana, Managing Director, Sri Lanka Ports Authority; Mr Kavan Ratnayaka, Chairman, Sri Lanka Ports Authority; Mr D.V. Abeysinghe, Managing Director/CEO of Colombo Dockyard PLC; Dr Toru Takehara, Chairman, Colombo Dockyard PLC.
