Colombo Dockyard (CDPLC) ceremonially laid the foundation to build a full-fledged engineering workshop at Hambantota International Port on 16th August 2024. This ceremonial occasion will kick off the construction of the engineering workshop in line with the contract signed between CDPLC and Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG). The foundation laying commenced with the traditional of chanting of Pirith, which blessed this historic event and the construction process of this engineering workshop facility.
This facility is a testament of the growth and innovation in the maritime industry in Sri Lanka which services the regional and the international maritime markets, from one of the most strategic locations in the global maritime map. This workshop will strengthen the service availability and the speed of service to the clients, improving the economics for the end user. This new engineering workshop, when in operation will extend the service footprint of Colombo Dockyard to the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka.
Hambantota International Port stands as a beacon of progress for Sri Lanka. Strategically located on one of the world's busiest maritime routes, this deep-water port has rapidly become a key player in global trade. This allows CDPLC to offer afloat repair services to a multitude of vessels calling for transshipment, bunkering and other operations and dedicated afloat repairs.
Colombo Dockyard’s Rapid Response Afloat Repair Service (RRARS), which was launched in 2019 to provide afloat repairs services at all Sri Lankan ports, has played a crucial role in providing the required repair support to the vessels the Sri Lankan waters. CDPLC plans to complete setting up the workshop facility within a short period through Dockyard General Engineering Services (DGES), a fully owned subsidiary of CDPLC. The excellent facilities available at the HIP, with over three and a half kilometers of deep draft berths, selected berths serviced with cranage comes in handy for execution of speedy afloat repairs.
The august gathering was addressed by Mr. Thimira S Godakumbura, Managing Director/ CEO, CDPLC, highlighting the importance of this facility to serve the maritime industry requirements from one of the pivotal locations in the maritime map. Also, he took the opportunity to thank the team from CMG and HIPG, HIPS and all the other distinguished guests for their support and taking the time to patronize this momentous occasion.
The event was graced by Ms. Shi Dai - Executive President of China Merchants Group (CMG), Mr. Wang Xiufeng - Vice Executive President of CMG, Mr. Xu Song - CEO of China Merchants Ports Group, Mr. Johnson Liu - CEO of HIPG, Capt. Ravi Jayawickreme - CEO of HIPS along with senior CMG officials and officers from HIPG, Mr. Rajapaksha - SDDC Sri Lanka Customs, Commodore W.T.A. Wasantha - Sri Lanka Navy and Mr. Refhan Razeen – General Manager Shangri-La Hambantota.
Representing Colombo Dockyard, Mr. Thimira S. Godakumbura – Managing Director/CEO, Mr. S. Nozaki - Technical Consultant, Mr. S. G. Senadheera – General Manager (Ship Repair Business), Mr. P.S. Abeysinghe – General Manager (Yard Development), Mr. K. B. P. Fernando - Consultant (SRB), Mr. Nayakaratne – Managing Director DGES, Mr. S. H. P. K. Ranatunga - Addl. General Manager (SRB), Mr. S.D. Gilbert - General Manager DGES, Mr. Darshana Chandrasekara - Asst. General Manager (SRB), Mr. Amila Rukshan- Asst. Business Manager, Ship Repair Marketing, Mr. Avantha Gunathilake, Head of Planning, Mr. Y R A M P Rajapakshe, Head of Section, Afloat Repairs, Mr. M S Sendanayake- Head of Section, Civil & Yard Development and other officials.
Colombo Dockyard celebrates 50 years of operations in 2024, since its establishment in the year 1974, while marking 31 years of successful collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd, Japan since 1993.
Colombo Dockyard’s odyssey of excellence continues serving the discerning ship owners globally with reliability and speed.