December 2, 2020: The construction of the Phase 5 of the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) commenced yesterday, adding a new chapter to the history of Sri Lanka’s ports and shipping industry.
The event was held with the initiative of Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena and with the participation of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development State Minister Jayantha Samaraweera and SLPA Chairman General Daya Ratnayake at the Phase 4 of the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of the SLPA . Development of the JCT commenced in March 1983. The first Phase of the terminal was opened in 1985, the second in 1987, the third in 1995 and the fourth in 1996.
SLPA Chairman General Daya Ratnayake said that the golden era of the port and shipping industry in Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015 would re-commence with the construction of Phase 5.
State Minister Jayantha Samaraweera said that the era of loss caused by the loss of the Hambantota Port had ended and a new era of port development had begun with the phase 5.
Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena said that the JCT Phase 5 was initiated by the previous government.
“Although the construction of phase 5 of the terminal was to be completed first, the previous government had stopped the constructions by giving priority to the import of Gantry cranes. The construction of the phase 5 of the terminal has commenced today because we received the cranes,” he said.
He added that despite the protests over the construction of the breakwater for the Colombo South Port and the construction of the Colombo International Terminal (CICT), none of those new projects would have been launched at present, if the breakwater had not been constructed. “The Colombo Port will be more efficient in the future with complete construction and commissioning of the East Container Terminal (ECT) as well as the West Container Terminal (WCT). These will lead Sri Lanka to be the maritime hub of Asia,” the Minister said.
The Minister said that he had the responsibility as the Minister in charge, to attract foreign exchange into the country by developing the Port as an economic hub taking timely decisions, realising the “Vision of Prosperity” of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The JCT Phase 5, which commenced on December 1, will be completed by July 2022. The total value of this project is US $ 32 million. The consultancy for the project is to be provided by the SLPA Contract and Planning Engineering Division.
The construction company for the project is China Harbor Engineering Company Limited (CHEC).
The Phase 5 will add a number of advantages to SLPA operations and the Port. The length of the phase 5 terminal will avoid obstacles at the edge JCT phase 4 when providing anchorage facilities for ships with 366 meters in length.
The additional length of 120 meters that would be added by the phase 5 will result in an efficient and effective operation of vessels at the JCT. A new yard area of 40,000 square meters will also be added to the JCT with the Phase 5.
Secretary to the Ports and Shipping Ministry U.D.C. Jayalal, Secretary to the State Ministry of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development Dhammika Matararachchi, SLPA Vice Chairman Dr. Prasantha Jayamanne, Managing Director H.D.A.S. Premachandra, Directors and Heads of Divisions, Higher Officials of China Harbor Engineering Company Limited and SLPA senior officials were present.
Source: Daily News
