Sri Lanka’s pioneer Shipbuilding and Ship repairing facility, Colombo Dockyard PLC participated at one of the leading International Shipping Exhibitions “APM 2024” during March 13-15 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
Colombo Dockyard has been a regular participant at many marine exhibitions, such as Posidonia Greece, Norshipping Norway, SMM Hamburg Germany, SMM Inmex India and other platforms over the past four decades. This is the first instance Colombo Dockyard has participated as an active exhibitor at the APM. The shipyard has been flying the Sri Lankan flag and promoting Colombo as a competitive repair and building centre in the South Asian region, European and Global platforms.
Singapore ship owners and managers represent a large share of the world’s floating tonnage. This naturally makes them one of the key market segments for Colombo Dockyard. This mega international marine exhibition has been a meeting place for Southeast Asian / Global shipping fraternity stake holders such as: Shipyards, machinery and equipment suppliers, classification societies, flag states, shipbrokers to name a few.
As the anchor event held successfully for the 18th time, APM enjoys strong support from government agencies and key trade associations, firmly establishing itself in the marketplace as the leading platform for both the global and local maritime and offshore communities to explore business, network and unveil new products and services.
The Sri Lankan High Commissioner His Excellency Senarath Dissanayake visited the Colombo Dockyard stall with his delegation and encouraged the shipyard team to carry on the good work of flying the Sri Lankan flag high at this international forum and conveyed the fullest support from his team to further strengthen the Singapore- Sri Lanka ties.
This platform was used to inform the market of the latest shipyard developments offerings, such as the newly formed Rapid Response Afloat repair team that can be mobilised swiftly at any Sri Lankan ports (Colombo, Trincomalee Galle and Hambantota) to attend to multiple type of afloat repairs.
During this event, some of the other key factors highlighted to the potential clients were: Colombo’s strategic location close to the main marine trading routes, specially avoiding the turbulent Red Sea passage, along with minimal diversion for vessel’s calling to discharge in the Indian coast, quality repair services, safe working environment, Japanese expertise available through our collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard, faster turnaround times and competitive rates. The shipbuilding sector highlighted the wide product portfolio on offer for complex vessels such as the Cable Layer vessels and Hybrid Eco Bulk carriers, along with our market proven Anchor Handling Tugs, Offshore Platform Support Vessels, Crew Boats, Coast Guard Vessels, Harbour Tugs, Work Boats Passenger Ferries, and other specialised Vessels.
The positive developments in the country with the economic revival process, laying the foundation conducive for business to prosper, these initiatives have been instrumental in many South East Asian, Middle Eastern and European clients looking at Colombo seriously as a potential ship repair and building facility. The year 2024 is significant as Colombo Dockyard celebrates 50th Anniversary of its operations established in 1974 – August 1st, while the collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd. Japan marks 31 years since the successful collaboration entered in March 1993.
Colombo Dockyard team was led by Mr. Thimira S Godakumbura, Managing Director /CEO, Mr J Furukawa – Director, Mr S G Senadheera, General Manager, Ship Repair Business, Mr. Darshana Chandrasekera – Asst. Business Manager, Ship Repair Business, Mr. Amila Rukshan, Asst. Business Manager, Ship Repair Marketing and Mr Primal Jayasuriya, Executive (Project Proposal Development and Marketing).
