SLPA plans modernisation of Colombo Port

Colombo: The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) announced Sunday that it will be launching a massive multi million dollar modernisation plan in order to make the Colombo Port one of Asia’s best.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority Executive Director Dr. Sanjaya Senarath said the modernisation plans include the setting up of a dry port at Bloemendhal Road, purchasing of new gantry cranes and four transfer cranes, putting the existing land space at the Colombo port for optimum use and setting up a new long term master plan in order to make Colombo port the best port in Asia..
The idea of setting up of the dry port came about to give meaningful long term answers the problem of container carrier traffic pilling up in front of the main gate of the Colombo Port. At the moment we have about 26 acres of land at Bloemendhal Road which would be turned into a dry port and all the container traffic will be channeled there.
According to the Executive Director once the dry port comes into operation all the out bound and inbound containers will be transported to the dry port and thereafter all the paper work will be handled from there.
“In order to make the port handling more efficient we are also in the process of finalizing plans to bring down new gantry cranes and transfer cranes. At the moment almost all the gantry cranes in the Colombo port are almost 20 years old and they need to be replaced with new ones,” he said.
Speaking on the initialization of the land especially at the Colombo port Dr. Senarath said that the Authority had identified that certain offices could be removed from the port and operated from elsewhere.
“We have identified that offices like the mechanical and engineering units could function from outside the port premises and thereafter utilize that space for other tasks. In terms of utilising land we have proposed set up a modern passenger terminal for cruise ships. At the moment there is no proper terminal for the passengers arriving Sri Lank via the Colombo Port. At present the facilities are not on par with the required standards and there is a need to build a new terminal. Last year alone 30 cruise ships came to Sri Lanka and we want to develop this area in order to attract more passenger ships to Sri Lanka,” he said.
Speaking on the launching of the new mission and vision plan Dr. Senarath said that the new master plan is expected be completed shortly and will be implemented within three months.
Speaking on how to increase the efficiency of the workers at the Colombo port the Executive Director said that according to the new master plan every employee will be given a work duty detailing his duty task.
“When looking at the past there was a tendency for the workers and the trade unions to launch strikes for slightest problem. Last year we signed an MOU with trade unions on how to solve problems without disrupting work of the port. The MOU is very much a success and now we have a continuous dialogue with the trade unions and the workers for the smooth operation of the port,” he said.
Speaking on the over staffing situation at the port Dr. Senarath said that there are about 13,500 employees at the Colombo port and there is an excess of 3500 employees.
“The excess staff is a problem, but we are not going to reduce the excess numbers and is now working on how to get the maximum out of every worker. Therefore we are now in the process of introducing three shifts on a daily basis. We are also looking forward to use these excess workers in the Colombo Port southern Development Project. On the other hand we are now gearing to meet the demand for the completion of first stage of the Hambantota Port and we are look forward to channel these workers there as well.,” he said.
Speaking on the revenue of the Colombo Port Dr. Senarath said that last year alone the Colombo Port handled 3.4 million containers while in 2006 the port generated a total revenue of Rs. 2,200 milion. He said that the increase of reve