188m x 28m Vehicle carrier is a first-time caller to Colombo Dockyard. 13-year-old, Japanese
built, well maintained beauty drydocked recently at Colombo for her intermediate survey.
Colombo Dockyard has been serving the Vehicle carrier fleets from NYK, Wallem, Wilhelmsen over the past few decades. This Japanese Vehicle carrier call reactivated the service options to the growing market segment.
The vessel is owned by Sugahara Kisen Co., Ltd., Japan (Estb 1963) and operated by K Line Ltd. Onomichi Dockyard Co. ltd, Japan, the parent company of Colombo Dockyard recommended the drydocking facility at the center of Indian ocean to the owners. The Company’s line of business includes the transportation of freight on all inland waterways. They are covering huge spectrum in logistics and transportation in Japan having operating Bulk, Vehicle, LPG, Cement, Container Carriers and Refrigerated Cargo Carriers which are operating mostly on regular charters.
She was docked in Dock 04 where the Shipyard carried out general drydocking repairs including wire renewal of rampways compling to DNV requirements. The project team was headed by ship Manager Mr. C.M . Kapurubandara and Senior Invoicing Engineer Mr. W.G.A.R. Sameera under the guidance of the residence Director from Onomichi Dockyard, Mr. Atsushi Horibe where owner’s interest was looked after by Capt. Kenichi Kawakubo and Mr. Toshinari Yamagata from Shipping department of Sugahara Kisen Co. Ltd.
The decision makers found very satisfied on their decision of coming Colombo and the job done at Colombo Dockyard. The project was completed well ahead to the quoted duration which was highly appreciated by the vessel operator K line Ltd. Colombo Dockyard proved the potential of being the preferred repair partner for Japanese fleets in the middle of Indian Ocean for their planned drydocking repairs as well as emergency afloat repairs. Colombo Dockyard has also become the preferred repair destination for the fleet vehicle carriers calling at the Hambantota International Port (HIPG) located just 150NM away from Colombo.
Figure 1: MV Norther Highway in Dock 04
Figure 2; Dock 04 round the clock working for Norther Highway