The Colombo Port expects to handle 10 million total equivalent units (TEUs) by 2020 recording more than twofold growth from this year. It has the capacity to reach four million TEUs by end of this year, said Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Dr Priyath Wickrama.

He was speaking at a seminar on “Sri Lanka: Connecting to compete - Port of Colombo - What are the prospects/threats?” held yesterday in Colombo.

The Colombo Port facilitates 24 main line operators and 14 feeder operators. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) caters to non-fixed callers and due to this situation there is high yard congestion, Wickrama said.

The SLPA has taken several measures to improve productivity. The key area of focus is to introduce a new terminal management system.

“Facilitating this effort, the GPRS model will be implemented soon. A fully operational maintenance system will come into effect by the end of this year”, the Chairman said.

The SLPA will upgrade its equipment with modern facilities and yard renovation work and widening of internal roads are currently underway.

There will be a separate yard for FCL containers. These improvements will increase the level of efficiency and service quality.

There will be a new management system that focuses on human resource management and finance and accounting and online activities to provide a better service.

The SLPA will be housed in a separate building connecting the Customs to promote the one-stop-shop concept.

The construction of the building will be completed within 18 months. The shipping industry will enhance its facilities and will build a cargo village in Peliyagoda closer to road rail connectivity.

Two other cargo villages will also be built in Ragama and Ratmalana enabling wider access for industrialists to obtain services.

These dry ports will be controlled by the SLPA and the Peliyagoda facility will commence construction by the end of this year.

The SLPA will acquire and manage a farm in Hambantota which will enable it to pay staff salaries.

This will ensure the profitability and sustainability of the Authority as Hambantota will be an active economic location in the near future.