Colombo port’s WCT on schedule: JKH

Monday, 5 June 2023 03:52 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The entirety of the dredging works for both phases at WCT-1 is near complete

John Keells Holdings (JKH) says the work on the Colombo West International Container Terminal (WCT) is on schedule.

It said the groundwork on the WCT-1 at the Port of Colombo is progressing well with the entirety of the dredging works for both phases near complete. The contract for the quay wall construction, a significant component of the overall construction works, was awarded in October 2022.

“Overall timelines for the project remain as originally envisaged,” JKH said in its Annual Report for FY23.

The WCT-1, which has a lease period of 35 years, is a deep-water terminal with a quay length of 1,400 metres, an alongside depth of 20 metres and an annual handling capacity of 3.2 million TEUs. Phase 1 of the terminal, comprising a quay length of 800 metres as against the previous 600 metres, is slated to be operational by the third quarter of 2024/25.

The extension of the quay length in Phase 1 facilitates the servicing of two large vessels concurrently, which will enable a higher throughput once Phase 1 is operational. The remainder of the terminal is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2025/26.