Onomichi Dockyard MD visits Hambantota Port to seal partnership

Monday, 29 July 2024 01:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: Colombo Dockyard GM – Ship Repair Business S.G. Senadheera, Tech Advisor S. Nozaki, Director Furukawa, Onomichi Dockyard MD K. Kobatake, CDPLC MD/CEO Thimira S. Godakumbura, HIPG CEO Johnson Liu, HIPS CEO Capt. Ravi Jayawickreme, HIPG General Manager – Commercial and Marketing Lance Zuo, DGM – Commercial and Marketing Bindu Ranasinghe, CDPLC Consultant – Ship Repair Business Benny Fernando, and HIPG AGM – Port Investment Services Lalith Ekanayake

HIPG CEO Johnson Liu leads the inspection tour for Japan Onomichi MD Kunio Kobatake and CDPLC team

CDPLC investing $ 1 m in a new afloat repair facility, strengthening its presence at Hambantota International Port

Japan Onomichi Dockyard Company Managing Director and Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) Director Kunio Kobatake, recently visited Hambantota International Port (HIP).

This visit follows a newly signed agreement between CDPLC and the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) to construct a state-of-the-art ship repair workshop at the port.

CM Group in Sri Lanka Chief Representative and HIPG CEO Johnson Liu emphasised the strategic advantage of HIP’s location. “HIP’s position along the east-west routes of the Indian Ocean makes it an ideal site for developing and expanding ship repair services. The capacity to handle large volumes of repair work combined with CDPLC’s expertise will make this partnership a vital part of the port’s operations,” he said.

“The new ship repair workshop will enhance our current services, further advancing HIP’s evolution into a fully multipurpose port. We eagerly await the completion of this project, which highlights HIPG’s commitment to operational excellence and economic growth within the maritime industry,” added Liu.

CDPLC is investing approximately $ 1 million in a new afloat repair facility, strengthening its presence at HIP.

CDPLC Managing Director Thimira S. Godakumbura said: “Our collaboration with Hambantota International Port has been mutually beneficial. The port’s facilities allow us to offer advanced afloat repair services to a wide range of ships, including some of the largest ocean-going vessels. Our combined expertise, the port’s multipurpose capabilities, and experienced staff bode well for the future of our extended partnership. We anticipate a significant increase in business with the new state-of-the-art facility, ensuring that HIP becomes the premier destination for afloat repairs in the Indian Ocean region.”

During his visit, Kunio Kobatake inspected the site for the new afloat repair facility and expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential benefits for both parties. He was accompanied by CDPLC Director Furukawa, Tech Advisor Nozaki, GM – Ship Repair Services S.G. Senadheera, and Consultant Benny Fernando.

The CDPLC workshop is expected to reach completion in the second quarter of 2025. Apart from enhancing the port’s ship repair capacity and afloat repair capabilities, the new facility is anticipated to create numerous business opportunities for the local community involved in ship supplies.