MTD Walkers diversifies into marine engineering

24 November 2015 02:39 am

Integrated infrastructure and engineering solutions provider MTD Walkers PLC has secured the leasehold rights of Mutwal Harbour and is to launch Walkers Colombo Shipyard (Pvt.) Ltd. 

“This goes in line with the diversification strategy we started two years ago and helps us augment the key services we have to offer. Our subsidiary Colombo Engineering offers afloat repairs whilst Walkers Colombo Shipyard will offer docked repairs,” said MTD Walkers PLC Executive Deputy Chairman Jehan Amaratunga. 

MTD Walkers PLC will develop the Mutwal Harbour, which spans across 3.5 acres, to be utilized for ship repair and ship building using the state-of-the-art technology. 

For the first time in Sri Lanka, a modern Ship Lift and transfer system will be installed in Mutwal Shipyard to improve the range and quality of marine engineering services available in the country. In line with the high capacity Ship Lift system, a Boatlift System will too be installed catering to small vessels up to 50 tonnes.   

Amaratunga further added that he was pleased to have Dr. Sarath Obeysekera as the CEO of Walkers Colombo Shipyard (Pvt.) Ltd, who brings to the marine engineering sector of MTD Walkers PLC a great wealth of experience. 

“During the coming years we are keen to expand our operations and hope to invest significant sums in this sector,” added Amaratunga explaining that MTD Walkers aims to diversify the revenue stream of the group whilst earning valuable foreign exchange. 

To complement the expansion in the marine engineering sector, MTD Walkers PLC will utilize the facilities available at the Central Workshop and Western Airducts Lanka Limited (a subsidiary of MTD Walkers PLC), which already has resources, expertise and technical know-how to perform a wide range of related activities for ship repair and ship building.