Colombo Dockyard Celebrates 20 Years of Partnership that Integrates Japanese Values & Western Capitalistic Ideals

30th March 2013, www.island.lk, By Steve A Morrell

Colombo Dockyard provides a unique platform to display Sri Lanka to the world stage, says Mangala Yapa, the company’s MD/CEO.

From small beginnings in 1974, Colombo Dockyard has grown in stature and prominence to make a significant contribution to the national economy, he said at the company’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

"Our contribution is such that we earn foreign exchange in ship building and sea craft. We accept ship building orders from overseas. All this means we earn foreign exchange for the Sri Lankan government", he said.

The chief guest was Minister of Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa.

Yapa said that since 1974, about 40 years ago, when the company was formed, their decision to forge a partnership with Onomichi Dockyard Company Limited of Japan on or about 1993 augured well. Onomichi’s decision was momentous because it came at a time the Colombo Dockyard was exploring stability and structure.

He said their inspired leadership brought about the stability that was needed to ensure positive progress and put in place abiding Japanese standards that have proved to an invaluable asset to the progress of the company.

"We did not seek publicity for the work we did. But, this year, it is 20 years since our joint collaboration with Onomichi, the occasion is right to project ourselves in a more public stance", the MD/CEO said.

"Our forte has always been ship building and ship repair services. We are proud to have nurtured this special trait from its infancy", Yapa stressed.

Akihiko Nakauchi, Chairman, Onomichi Dockyard Japan, recalled that it was a tactical move on the part of the Japanese in 1993 and it was a defining moment that Colombo Dockyard and Onomichi Dockyard collaborated to form the company. More so, that both countries had special friendly ties that further cemented this partnership.

"In the recent past, we have been successful in carving out certain niche markets. Our expertise is sought after across the globe particularly in the manufacture of sophisticated Off Shore Vessels.’, Nakauchi said.

Special mention was made of the first Managing Director, Ragunathan, who took office in 1974 and also A. K. Diyabalanage, Lal Dassanayake and Valentine Silva, who had contributed significantly to the progress of the Colombo Dockyard.

According to the 20th anniversary publication, initial plans were drawn up when Sir John Kotelawala was Minister of Communication and Works during the 1936 – 1947 era. Sir. Andrew Caldecott was Governor at the time. It was reported the Minister took a personal interest in this project.

Yapa further said "My vision for the future would be a corporate value culture of this nature and to propel Colombo Dockyard to the pinnacle of global marine services".

Related Info :

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• Colombo Dockyard Delivers 2nd Passenger Vessel to Administration of Union Territories of Lakshadweep, India

Sri Lanka Colombo Dockyard Handles two LPG Carrier Ships from India

08th April 2011, www.dailynews.lk, By Ramani Kangaraarachchi

The Colombo Dockyard undertook to handle two LPG carriers which will generate around US$ 1.6 million to the country, Colombo Dockyard Managing Director Mangala Yapa told Daily News Business.

The Shipping Corporation of India, owned LPG carriers Nanga Parbat (17,601DWT) and Anapurna (17,601DWT) sister ships called in for lay up and dry docking repairs during February and March 2011 respectively.

Yapa said Colombo has been attracting many types of callers, and the Tanker owner, managers have been regular visitors who take advantage of the excellent facilities available for tanker owners in this region.

He said that these sophisticated tankers were accommodated in 125,000 DWT in for major dry docking related repairs.

Yard geared cryogenic workshops necessary to handle the work on these LPG carriers.

The Yard’s safety on this specialised area was refreshed, specially focusing the project team being inducted to tanker safety training workshop in order all areas are covered.

The work scope handled on both of the vessels consisted of routine dry docking related repairs, steel renewal ,Cargo and booster pumps overhauling, cargo tank relief valves overhauling, cargo tank level gauges calibration and cargo condensers re-tubing. The main engine overhauling, various pumps main and auxiliary boilers and special surveyor was attended.

Two owner’s representatives from Shipping Corporation of India, Sishir Kumar and Anil K Sharma were present.

The repairs were carried out meeting the stringent classification society requirements of Lloyds Register of Shipping and Indian Register of shipping.

The husbanding work was attended to by Asha Agencies Ltd.

Image: Vessel MT Nanga Parbat accommodated in the Colombo Dockyard’s 125,000 dwt drydock No. 04 during her repair call.

Related Info :

• Colombo Dockyard to Invest in Other Ports in Sri Lanka. Delivers $26mn Platform ROV Support Vessel Greatship Rohini to Fugro Brazil

• Sri Lanka Dockyard Wins Contract for Two Multipurpose Platform Supply Vessels (MPSVs) for Greatship Global Offshore Services of Singapore

Colombo Dockyard Attracts European Ship Repairs. Cardiff Marine Inc Tanker Delos Calls in for Collision Repairs

29th March 2010, www.dailynews.lk

Cardiff Marine Inc. Greece owned Motor Tanker Delos called in with collision damages to her shipside as the tanker suffered damage while at Chittagong anchorage. The owners had decided to place the vessel in Colombo for permanent repairs.

Colombo's strategic location and the reputation as a reliable service provider attracted the Cardiff Marine Inc., to utilize Colombo Dockyard facilities for this damage repairs. Cardiff Marine Inc., is a well reputed ship owner/Manager managing a fleet of vessels in excess of six million deadweight. The peaceful conditions prevailing in the country has resulted in major European fleet owners looking at Colombo for their repair requirements, generating much needed foreign revenue for the country.

The tanker Delos initially planned to arrive in Colombo in February finally arrived in Colombo on February 17. Due to her shifted arrival, the initially allocated yard slot was not available as the next planned tanker had already arrived at the repair berth. The only available option was to secure another suitable berth to accommodate the vessel and immediate action was taken to request assistance from the local agents GAC Shipping Ltd. The local agents secured a suitable berth for this massive tanker (LOA 183.00 Meters/Beam 32.00 Meters).

The Shipyard mobilized the repair team under the project leadership of Ship Manager Dhammika Dissanayake, with coordinated support from steel department Steel engineer Avantha Gunathilake and his team to complete the job efficiently. As the job was carried out at the port berth, all required services had to be arranged with meticulous planning and coordination.

Hambantota Port Tender for Support Services

19th October 2009, www.island.lk, By Devan Daniel

Proposals are pouring in from the private sector about setting up support services at the Hambantota Port and officials said the SLPA would soon call for official tenders.

"We have received so many proposals from the business community about setting up support services at the Hambantota Port that we have decided to officially call for tenders in a few months time," a senior official of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)told the Island Financial Review.

Food, freshwater, transportation, hospitality and healthcare, apart from ship repairs and bunkering facilities, are some of the areas in which support services would be required and present opportunities for businesses to claim a stake in the development activities the port would generate.

However, regional businesses are concerned that they would be crowded out by ‘bigger’ companies from Colombo.

According to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority about US$ 120 million has already been spent on the Hambantota Port and the first phase of the construction is expected to be completed four months ahead of schedule by January 2011 at a cost of about US$ 360 million.

Hambantota Port (Harbour) on Google Maps