Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has commissioned another new oil storage tank with the capacity of 5,200 metric tons at its Blue Mandhal oil terminal premises.

The premises which had been privatized in 2002 was restored to SLPA following the Supreme Court Judgment in 2008. SLPA at the customs approved took steps accordingly, to store petroleum products imported by bunker license holders. 11 bunker license holders are currently registered in SLPA for the purpose of applying bunkers to the ocean going vessels, stated the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

When the SLPA took over the oil terminal in September 2008, there had been twelve tanks with the storage capacity of 29,500 metric tons. With the commissioning of the new tank for the purpose the total storage capacity at the facility has been raised up to 35,000 metric tons.

A decision has also been made by the SLPA to construct another storage tank with 10,000 metric tons capacity to enhance the total capacity up to 45,000 metric tons. A new boiler is also being installed to maintain higher efficiency and productivity tends for supplying petroleum products from the bond to the bunker barges.

A hundred and fifty million rupees project to replace the existing pipe line to transfer petroleum products from the Port of Colombo to the oil terminal owned by the SLPA and vise-versa will be commenced shortly and the entire project will be funded by the SLPA.

The infrastructure development project undertaken by the SLPA will assist in promoting Sri Lanka as an effective and efficient maritime hub in the region, the SLPA further stated.