SLPA signs agreement with Colombo Dockyard to built two pilot boats

Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Kavan Ratnayake and Colombo Dockyard PLC CEO D.V. Abeysinghe exchange the agreement in the presence of senior SLPA and Colombo Dockyard officials (from left) Sri Lanka Ports Authority Harbour Master Captain Nirmal Silva, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Managing Director Captain Athula Hewavitharana and Colombo Dockyard PLC Chairman Dr. Toru Takehara

• New pilot boats to handle greater volumes more efficiently
• Ports Authority’s investment to be US $ 3.12mn  

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) signed an agreement with Colombo Dockyard PLC yesterday to build two pilot boats for the Port of Colombo, enabling it to handle a greater volume of activities with more efficiency. The agreement was signed by SLPA Chairman Kavan Ratnayaka, on behalf of the SLPA and Colombo Dockyard PLC Managing Director/CEO D.V. Abeysinghe, on behalf of Colombo Dockyard PLC. 

Established in 1974, Colombo Dockyard PLC is Sri Lanka’s leading ship repair, shipbuilding, heavy engineering and offshore engineering facility. 

Ports and Shipping and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaka recently said, “The two new pilot boats will be faster than other boats in the fleet and will be better equipped to handle the modern ships that frequently visit the country’s busiest port.”

“The contractor was selected through a Cabinet-approved procurement process. The SLPA will invest US $ 3.12 million in new pilot boats,” Ratnayaka added, while expressing confidence that the Port of Colombo would use the two pilot boats from December 1, 2019. 

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.