On 11th June 2019, Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) laid the keels to auspiciously commence shipbuilding work on two Pilot Launches as per an Agreement signed with Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) on 1st February 2019. The contract was signed after CDPLC successfully won the international tender for the said project.
This keel laying ceremony marked the commencement of hull construction work of the two Pilot Launches and the auspicious occasion was graced by Hon. Sagala Ratnayaka, Minister of Ports & Shipping and Southern Development, Admiral S.S. Ranasinghe, Secretary of Ministry of Ports & Shipping and Southern Development, Mr. Kavan Ratnayake Chairman SLPA, Mr. Ajith Seneviratne Director General Department of Merchant Shipping, Captain Athula Hewavitharana Managing Director SLPA, Mr. Upali de Zoysa Additional Managing Director SLPA, Mr. Jayantha Perera Director Operations SLPA, Capt. Nirmal Silva Harbour Master SLPA and several other distinguished guests from SLPA and Mr. Anil Kumar Business Development Manager (South Asia) of Lloyds Register offered their blessings for the project.
Invitees at the stage
Mr. T. Nakabe, President of Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd of Japan, Mr. H. Tanaka Chairman CDPLC, Mr. Sarath De Costa Vice Chairman CDPLC, Mr. D.V. Abeysinghe MD/CEO CDPLC, Mr. K. Kanaya Director CDPLC, Mr. Yusihiro Saki Technical Advisor/CDPLC, Mr. Lal Hettiarachchi General Manager (Shipbuilding), Mr. Thimira Godakumbura General Manager (New Construction) and a host of other Senior Management and Staff representing Colombo Dockyard participated at this momentous occasion.
The 19m Pilot Launch is a proven design developed by MACDUFF of Scotland. The Pilot Launch will serve to transport pilots from shore to ship. The Pilot Launch can accommodate a total number of 8 persons including 4 crew members and 4 pilots and it can achieve a service speed around 22 knots.
Dignitaries on top of the Keel Laying Platform
The Pilot Launch is designed to hold a high degree of stability and comfort in all weather conditions and these Pilot Launches will provide a stable platform during embarking and disembarking Pilots. The Pilot Launches shall be equipped with state of the art machinery and equipment developed for this type of launches world-wide, which are of proven type with high dependability, durability and suitability for the intended purpose.
By building the Pilot Launches in Sri Lanka, SLPA helps develop the economy of the country by developing the local shipbuilding industry. The local ventures such as CDPLC generate large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities and develop the skills and technical knowhow of the local workmen and help save on valuable foreign exchange.
CDPLC operates in joint collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Company Limited of Japan who owns a stake of 51% at Colombo Dockyard PLC while Sri Lankan Government institutions have a 35% shareholding at Colombo Dockyard.
As the leader of Shipbuilding Industry in Sri Lanka, CDPLC continuously proves its excellence by successfully securing shipbuilding projects both local and worldwide. Currently, CDPLC is building a 113 m Cable Laying Vessel for Japan and a 60 m Buoy Tender Vessel and a 50 m Pilot Station Vessel for Iraq.
CDPLC is the front runner of Sri Lankan industrialization and is one of the main contributors to the Government’s National Export Strategy from the Shipbuilding sector.
“…an odyessy of excellence”