Colombo Dockyard celebrates 38th anniversary

Monday, 6 August 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Colombo Dockyard PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier ship repair and shipbuilding facility celebrated its 38th anniversary on 1 August 2012.

During its long and exciting journey, the shipyard has offered repair assistance close to 9,000 ships and has contracted over 230 new ships for both local and international clientele.

This indeed has been a remarkable journey, for a shipyard which started off with a humble beginning to be now recognised as an internationally acclaimed, modern, integrated shipyard.

Since its inception way back in 1974, Colombo Dockyard has been on national duty and now is one of Sri Lanka’s largest foreign exchange earners, generating an average annual turnover of over US$.130 million, which equals to one percent of Sri Lanka’s total export revenue.

In addition to the economic benefit, the socio-cultural benefit it provides to the country is immeasurable, providing employment to over 3,000 Sri Lankans and industrial skill training to over 450 trainees (at any given time), and developing the indigenous industry in the country and placing Sri Lanka in the world map of elite shipbuilders and repairers. The growth of business volumes over the years demanded expansion of facilities, which compelled the setting up of green field Kelani River Yard (KRY) in close proximity to the main shipyard, but outside the port premises making it flexible to respond fast to various dynamics in the market.

The secret of success of the shipyard has been due its constant focus on being a step ahead to ensure that every challenge is transformed in to an opportunity. In addition, the shipyard believes in sustainable development for all its social stakeholders and to create a win-win situation for everyone. Colombo Dockyard has contributed positively to the community, by way of playing key role as a socially responsible corporate, which been acknowledged by the industry ranking the shipyard within the top 10 in 2011. The impetus for all the good work performed by the shipyard is the guardianship of Onomichi Dockyard Company Limited of Japans which has enabled Colombo Dockyard to offer Japanese quality products and service standards, guaranteed delivery times, at highly competitive prices and maintaining its market competitiveness over the past years.

With the visionary guidance of Akihiko Nakauchi and dynamic leadership of Mangala Yapa, Colombo Dockyard is indeed set to reach newer heights in its continuing odyssey of excellence.